455 



Ill 







aV 




.-^^ 






'bo'^ 



* ,-V 



.- XVW; 



s "> ' ' ' , 



x^^.. -■ 

*■ 



^-/-^ M 









'O, i' 8 1 A'' 



•-% 



-'/ 












^^-> 



fejlx^i^^ii-^ 



B$ in tht Mt 



A SELECTION OF SKETCHES 



OF THE WORK OF THE 




Coimiimc/i 







f 



la 75^^::^ 



PRINTED FOR THE 

Lj^QIEtS' OHmSTlJlJ\^ C0MMI8BI0J\r. 
1865. 






J. B. KODGERS, PR., 

&2&54N. Sixth St., Phila. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

I. Necessity, -. 3 

II. Organization. 17 

III. Principles, 23 

IV. Sources of Supply, 33 

V. Ladies' Christian Commissions, 40 

VI. Authority 47 

VII. System, 55 

VIII. In the Camp, 58 

IX. The Hospitals, 64 

X. Field Hospitals, 71 

XI. Diet Kitchens 84 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE, i ,• 



XII. At THE Front <S9 

XIII. On the Battle-Field, 101 

XIV. Prisoneks, m 

XV. Increased Efforts, 119 

XVI. The Moral Results of this War 129 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY 



WUs 1. #. (Sftrijitiatt diammis^im. 



The Necessity for the Christian Commission 
May be seen at a glance, though it could not be measured 
in an age. Hundreds of thousands of our sons and bro- 
thers had gone to the war. Their hearts, of course, 
turned toward home for sympathy and relief in their 
privations, hardships, and perils. Our hearts, of course, 
went as strongly out after them, longing to give them 
abundantly the sympathy and relief they craved. 

It was not enough that the large provision of the 
Government should be supplemented by hospital sup- 
plies through surgeons and nurses. This, however 
abundant, would leave the great want still unmet. This 
want was that of the "living electric chain between the 



d CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

hearth and the tent/' which could be met only by persons 
from home, with hearts to sympathize, tongues to cheer, 
and hands to relieve; and the same persons returning, 
with their intelligence, their messages, letters, and tokens 
for the waiting ones at home. Stores,'too, were wanted, 
not for surgeons and nurses, except in great emergen- 
cies ; they could be supplied by Government — and never 
did any other government show greater readiness or 
ability to do it — but to fill the hands of the delegates 
with ample ijieans of aid and comfort direct wherever 
they should find sufi'ering or need. 

The story of David's visit to the army of King Saul 
in his war with the Philistines illustrates the case. 

There were eight brothers, — four followed the king to 
the war ; David, the youngest, returned from the army, 
and was keeping the sheep. A great battle was pending, 
which would decide the fate of the nation. The heart of 
the home went after the sons and brothers in the field, 
and after the prosjiects and welfare of the army fighting 
to save the country. So Jesse, the father, took David 
from the flocks and sent him to "look how it fares" with 
his brothers, and " take their pledge." Not empty-handed, 
either. " Take," said the father, " for thy brethren an 
ephah of parched corn," (a very nice thing for them 
in the field,) "and these ten loaves, and run with them 
to thy brethren, and carry these ten cheeses to the caj)- 
tain of their thousand." The colonel was not forgotten. 

The want met in this case was that of a delegate to go 
full-handed from the home to the field, who should in 
due time return again to the home with pledges from the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



absent ones ; and, in passing, it must not escape us that 
the visit of the delegate in this instance was God's pivot 
of Israel's preservation ; for it was on that occasion 
that the boasting Philistine champion was slain, the 
Philistine army defeated and destroyed, and Israel 
saved. 

Succor. 

This want of full-handed delegates from home is in- 
tensified a hundred fold when a gi-eat battle is fought. 
Day after day the wounded lie in agony and blood, and, 
in the heart-sickness of hope deferred, await the slow 
relief, or the swifter release by death, for want of just 
that personal service which we at home are abundantly 
able and willing to give, if there be any way of doing it. 
Take, for example, the Battle of Mine Run, and the re- 
treat of the wounded, as described by delegates, as fol- 
lows: 

''On the 7th day of November, after a sharp fight, the 
army crossed the Rappahannock and took up the old 
line of defence along the Rapidan. 

A party started for the field hospitals with a wagon- 
load of stores, and after working two days among the 
wounded, went forward to Brandy, and established a 
new station. 

For the next fortnight, the headquarters of the Com- 
mission were at Brandy Station. A very large quantity 
of reading matter was there distributed, and from the 
station the clerical delegates went out to distant camps 
to preach. 



» CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Evident it was, however, that the campaign was not 
yet en,ded, and arrangements were perfected, so that the 
Commission could go with the army whenever it should 
again advance. 

Two four-horse wagons were carefully loaded, princi- 
pally with condensed food, stimulants, and clothing; and 
a party was selected from the delegates to go forward. 
It was arranged that the remaining delegates should re- 
turn to Alexandria by rail, and be i-eady to open commu- 
nication with the army at the first point of supply, 
wherever it might be. Either Acquia Creek or Fredericks- 
burg was, by many persons, supposed to be the destina- 
tion of the army. 

Early on Thanksgiving morning, the troops were 
moving. The tents were struck, the horses harnessed, 
final arrangements made, and at noon we joined the long 
line of headquarter wagons, and started out upon a 
journey whose destination was veiled in utter obscurity. 
The next day the Rapidan was safely passed, and "Ro- 
binson's Tavern," a wooden structure at the intersection 
of two roads in the "Wilderness," was reached the fol- 
lowing morning. Here every thing came to a full stop. 
The Third Corj)s, crossing the river a few miles to the 
right of us, were attacked on the second day, and a fight 
of unusual severity resulted. 

The wounded, numbering five or six hundred, were 
taken from the field, and placed in ambulances, parked 
in a field about one mile from the Tavern. The weather 
was very cold, the nights being intensely bitter, and the 
condition of the wounded was truly pitiable. Blankets 



I i' 
i 
I 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



were unusually scarce, and in the morning it was a sad 
sight to see the chilled and shivering sufferers. A large 
fire-place was soon built, and all were busy preparing hot 
milk-punch, and hot coifee, or in taking it from wagon 
to wagon, until it was too late to do more. Milk-punch 
was given freely, by the request and approval of the sur- 
geons, and coffee, made nutritious Avith milk and sugar, 
was taken to all. 

In some cases, the division wagon containing food 
and cooking utensils, was delayed in coming to the hos- 
pital, so that there were some almost entirely dependent 
upon the Christian Commission for food. On Sunday 
and Monday, most of the wounded were removed from 
ambulances, and laid in hospital tents; but the suffering 
from cold was still very great. All this time we were 
expecting the great battle would begin. Both armies 
were in position, and although the line of defence held 
by the enemy was very strong, it was expected an assault 
would be made, and we thought with sinking hearts of 
the unspeakable anguish that must ensue. Cut off en- 
tirely from any base of supply, food and forage, already 
in some places beginning to fail, and the cold becoming 
more and more intense, we could but hope most earnestly 
that the cup might this time pass away. 

Tuesday, the order came to return. The wovinded 
were placed again in ambulances, and we repacked our 
wagons, and took the place assigned to us at the head of 
the train, thus avoiding delay when coming to a halt at 
night. 

All day we were jolting over such roads as we believe 



10 CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 

seldom fell to the lot of wounded men before. We could 
not endure the sight of these poor, exhausted men, sore 
and faint from wounds, tossed and thrown from side to 
side of their ambulance beds, all that long, long day. 
The Rapidan was crossed in safety, and as the night 
came on, the train was parked in a field near its banks. 

It was already late, and not a moment to be lost. A 
fire was kindled, water heated, buckets of milk-punch 
prepared and taken to those most exhausted. Coff"ee and 
soda biscuit — carefully husbanded for the occasion — were 
then distributed in all parts of the camp. 

Early in the morning the same woi'k was repeated 
until the order to march was given, and we had barely 
time to take our seats in the train. 

Another day's cruel march. Until near midnight cut- 
ting our way through almost impassable swamps and 
forests, at length, as we could get no further, we were 
ordered into park on a low, flat marsh. An unpromising 
place it was ! No wood, no water, and yet something 
must be prepared for those men, who, many of them, 
starting ofi" without a breakfast, have undergone the 
pains of hunger all this long day, else they will surely 
perish ! Wood is sought and found a quarter of a mile 
away, and brought on shoulders to the camp. A detail 
of soldiers is given, and they, after a long hunt in the 
darkness, return with pails of water. The fire is kindled, 
the water heated, and brandy-punch made, and taken 
from ambulance to ambulance, until at two o'clock in the 
morning, it is declared that all have been i-eached. 

In the morning the promise is given us that the train 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 11 

shall not start until we have fed them all. More exten- 
sive arrangements for a breakfast are made, the remain- 
ing barrels of crackers are opened, and, with hot coffee, 
distributed throughout the train. 

Brandy Station, left behind us just one week before, 
as we then hoped, forever, was again welcomed as a link 
connecting us with a civilized world. One week pre- 
viously we had gone forth with heavy loads, and minds 
doubtful of the way before us. Now we returned with 
wagons empty, and hearts full of gratitude that we had 
been privileged to minister to so many suffering soldiers. 
A tent was pitched near to the ambulances, and until 
the wounded were loaded upon the cars, the delegates 
remained with them, and then accompanying them to 
Alexandria, helped to convey them to comfortable beds 
at the hospitals. Such expressions of gratitude are sel- 
dom heard as fell from a hundred lips that night. The 
badge of the Christian Commission was a sure passport to 
the heart of any one who passed through that terrible 
ordeal during those ** seven days in the wilderness." 
•'Winter quarters" are at length ordered, the active 
campaign is closed, and the quiet winter days are to fol- 
low its months of toil and bloodshed. 

The winter work of the Christian Commission is again 
organized. With Brandy Station as a base for supplies, 
stations are already established in central parts of the 
army, and chapel-tents are already filled by earnest wor- 
shippers. The plan for the winter embraces the follow- 
ing items : — Preaching the Gospel to troops destitute of 
chaplains; thorough distribution of religious reading; 



12 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

constant and personal inspection of field hospitals ; as- 
sistance given chaplains in the erection of brigade or re- 
gimental churches." 

Upon the action taken in Christian churches and in 
Christian homes depends, to a great extent, the success 
of this great plan. Rec. W. E. Boardman. 

Camp Vices. 
Our sons and brothers are exposed to other and greater 
dangers than those of the battle-field. The demoralizing 
influences of camps are, alas! too well known. Remove 
young men from the pure influences of home, from the 
restraints of public opinion, and from the enjoyment of 
the ordinances of religion, and congregate them in camps 
where, for a large portion of the time, they have no em- 
ployment; where whiskey is their chief luxury, gambling 
their only amusement, and profanity the common style 
of speech, and they must have supernatural grace to i"e- 
sist the daily and continual influence of evil example. 
Shall we receive the boys whom we sent forth from our 
firesides, pure, temperate, reverent, manly Christians; or 
drunken, blaspheming rowdies? A million of soldiers 
will return from the field to their respective towns and 
villages to become the heroes and educators of admiring 
youths, and to be elected by a grateful people to every 
public office from constable to president. Can our re- 
publican institutions survive the demoralization of our 
citizen soldiery? This dire calamity can be averted by 
bringing the power of religion to bear on the consciences 
of our soldiers. Officers who arc not personally religious 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 13 

acknowledge the value of religion in preventing the de- 
moralizing influence of camp vices. An artillery officer, 
whose permission to distribute tracts in his battery was 
asked by Dr. Patterson, said: "I'm with you. I'll aid 
you in every way in my power. I don't believe in an- 
other world — I'm a Tom Paine infidel — but your tracts 
and prayer-books keep the men fi'om drinking, and 
gambling, and the guard-house, and, so far as that goes, 
I'm with you," When a regiment of British troops in 
India was needed for a difficult service, and the men of 
the regiment called for were found so drunk as to be unfit 
fur duty, the commander said: " Tui'n out Havelock's 
saints : they are always reliable."' 

Courage and Faith, 

It is sometimes, however, objected that religion has a 
tendency to make men effeminate and deprive them of 
that courage on the battle-field without which no sobriety 
of conduct in camp can make a soldier. But all expe- 
rience teaches the contrary. The names of such soldiers 
as Abraham, Moses, Gideon, David, Constantine, Gvis- 
tavus, Cromwell and his Ironsides, Washington, Have- 
lock, Foote, and Howard, and of a host of other praying 
heroes that might be named, sufficiently refute the objec- 
tion. The last-named general, in his speech at the 
Second Anniversary of the Christian Commission in 
Philadelphia, thus traces the influence of true religion in 
forming heroes ; and thei'e can be no better authority on 
such a subject than the hero of Lookout Mountain : — 

'*My friends, I did not know that I was going to make 



14 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

my speech so long— [Cries of 'Go on'] — but I will tell 
you one thing, and that is this, that I feel in my heart a 
deep and abiding interest in the cause of my Redeemer. 
I know that to serve that cause is the object of the Chris- 
tian Commission, and therefore I love it, and have iden- 
tified myself with it. I trust that as I return to those 
regiments you love, your earnest prayers may follow me, 
that evil in their ranks may be repressed, that the sol- 
diers may sing hymns to God, that when they go into 
the battle they may go into it without a particle of fear, 
because they know in whom they have faith. My friends, 
I heard a gentleman who was not a Christian, say, with 
reference to General Magruder, on the other side: 'He 
cannot be a very braA'e man,- he cannot have true cou- 
rage.' 'Why?' was asked. 'Because he is a bad man: 
one who delights in destroying young men, and leading 
them into shame and degradation.' My friends, the 
highest type of courage is the Christian spirit. By the 
blessing of God, I have been enabled to exercise a clear 
conA'iction on this subject; and I have faith that when 
he chooses to call me away, I will be with him, not be- 
cause I am good, holy or righteous, but because I have a 
Saviour, an all-sufficient Saviour, who is able to save me, 
the chief of sinners. Therefore. I say I can go into the 
field of battle, and fear no evil, and would to God that 
every officer in the army [Applause] and every soldier, 
[Increased applause] should declare, from the sincerity 
of his heart, that God had done such great things for him. 
[Long and continued applause.] 

"Mv friends, these to me are solemn convictions. I 



CHRIST IN THE ARMV. 15 

I 

speak them freely and frankly. It may seem to you that i 
it is exposing one's private feelings too publicly; but I | 
declare to you my solemn convictions. I believe that the 
Christian people of the United States have been laggards. 
They have looked to physical wants ; they have cried 
over wounds; they have mourned over the dead; and in 
this time of excitement, of jostling, and of terror, the 
still, small voice has not been listened to, and the holy 
work of the sweet Christian spirit has not had its due 
weight." 

For its purpose the governmental provision of chaplain 
service was ample in the enactment — a chaplain for every 
regiment — but wholly insufficient in the application, not 
more than one to five remaining in some large armies, 
and only one to two in those best supplied, while the 
church is abundantly willing to supply this lack of ser- 
vice by sending its ministers, from time to time, fresh 
and frequent from home. 

Again : these hundreds of thousands of our sons and 
brothers are in the field where there is a famine of read- 
ing matter (that is good, with great temptation from that 
which is bad;) and they feel this the more because accus- 
tomed to the greatest abundance and variety. For this 
the Government makes no provision. 

The one necessity to meet these great and various 

wants, therefore, was that of an agency which should j 

command the confidence of the Government and people, I 

secure all necessary facilities, select and send the proper i 

persons to the proper places in pro])er numbers and at j 



16 CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 

proper times, gather and send the requisite stores and 
publications, systematize and direct the labors and dis- 
tributions of the delegates sent, and duly report all to 
the public. 

Bev. W. E. Boardman. 



CHRIST IN TIIK ARMY. 17 



II. 

The Christian Commission, like the rest of God's works, 
is a growth, a grain of mustard-seed expanding by the 
power of the Divine life into a great tree. It was not 
of man's device or fore-oixlination. The Great Head of 
the Church planned it, and step by step, led his servants 
to its varied duties, by the unforeseen emergencies of His 
providence. 

The revival of 1858, was embodied in the Daily Union 
Prayer Meetings in all our cities, and in the Young Men's 
Christian Associations, under whose direction they were 
generally maintained. When our country called her sons 
to defend her Capital, the brave youths of these Associa- 
tions were foremost to offer themselves as soldiers and in 
such numbers that the Associations of the western cities 
had scarcely enough members left to keep up their organi- 
zations. These young Christians did not believe that they 
should leave their religion behind them when they went 
into camp. They went there at the call of God, and of 
God's representative and minister, who has not borne the 



2* 



18 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

sword in vain; and to fulfil a solemn religious duty in 
purging the land of rebellion, and punishing the shedders 
of innocent blood; and they met together to ask the bless- 
ing of the Lord of Hosts u2)on themselves and their com- 
rades. These prayer-meetings began almost as soon as 
the first companies were collected in camps of instruction. 
In the beginning of May, 1861, Captain Fuller of Chicago, 
organized a company of dragoons, many of whom, as 
well as himself, were members of the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association. The company was invited to a benefit 
at McVickar's theatre, the proceeds to be donated to the 
equipment of the company. The offer was very tempt- 
ing, as the expenses, including the purchase of horses, 
were heavy. But when the captain put the vote to the 
company, not a single man voted for the theatre. They 
resolved to have the Daily Prayer Meeting instead. 
In the Illinois Fusileers they were in successful operation 
in the latter end of June, 1861 ; and were continued with 
blessed results, in Camp Wright and Camp Douglas, dur- 
ing the whole of that season. In the vicinity of Cincin- 
nati, Philadelphia and New York, Christian men and 
ministers were acting as volunteer delegates before any 
Chaplains had been appointed by government, or any 
Christian Commission formally organized by the Church. 
When the brave youths of Chicago hastened to Cairo to 
repel invasion from Kentucky, they sent up a request for 
preaching, and the ministers of Chicago went down in 
turn for several months, and preached to crowds of eager 
auditors. A request from a battery for hymn-books, led 
to the printing of the Soldier's Hymn-Book about the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 19 



time, in editions of ten thousand; and ovei* one hun- 
dred and twenty-five thousand have been printed and dis- 
tributed to western troops by the Young Men's Christian 
Association of that city. During the march of Lyons' 
army from RoUa, in August, 1861, members of that asso- 
ciation accompanied the column, ministering to the sick 
and wounded such help and succour as they could procure; 
and receiving from the toil-woi'n and sun-struck soldiers 
the most fervent blessings for the pails of water and words 
of cheer, which were often the only, but invaluable, stores 
they were able to bestow. 

After the capture of Fort Donelson, when the Commis- 
sion had been organized, Messrs. D. L. Moodie, B. F. Ja- 
cobs and Rev. Robert Patterson, D. D., were sent with 
cordials and stores, to the wounded. They were wel- 
comed by our medical and military officers; Gen. Grant, 
with his own hand, writing the first pass and order for 
transportation, from Paducah, for Dr. Patterson and his 
companions. 

The other armies of the Union, as soon as they became 
organized, were also visited in the same way by members 
of other Young Men's Christian Associations, who were 
always welcomed, and whose visits were greatly blessed. 
As soon as it became evident that the war would demand 
a much larger number of men than the seventy-five thou- 
sand originally called for, and that it would not be over 
so soon as we had hoped, the need of some central agency 
to systematize, combine, and extend these efi"orts, became 
apparent. As the work had originated with the Young 
Men's Christian Associations, it was judged proper that 



20 CHRIST IN THE AUMY. 

the call of a convention for this purpose should proceed 
from them. The convention was, accordingly, held in 
New York, on November 16th, 1861, and the United States 
Christian Commission was then organized. 

It consisted, originally, of twelve gentlemen, members 
of the diflFerent evangelical churches, located in various 
sections of the Union, and, as far as possible, representing 
the various legal, commercial, political, military, and cle- 
rical professions. A desire for a more complete represen- 
tation of all these interests led to a subsequent enlarge- 
ment; and the Commission now consists of fifty gentle- 
men. 

OFFICERS. 

GEO. H. STUART, Esq., Chairman. 

JOSEPH PATTERSON, Esq.. Treasurer. 

Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. 

Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary Home Organization. 

Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Onjanization. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 
Geo. H. Stuart, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes, D. D., N. Y. 
C. Demond, Esq., Boston, Mass. 
John P. Crozier, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Jay Cooke, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Joseph Patterson, Esq., Philadeljihia. 
Rev. Bishop M. Simpson, D. 1)., Philadelphia. 
Stephen Colwell, Esq., New York. 
William E. Dodge, Esq., New York. 
Rev. Herman Dver, D. D. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 21 

W. S. Griffiths, Esq., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

G. S. (Griffiths, Esq., Baltimore, Md. 

Horatio G. Jones, Esq., Philadelpliia. 

Rev. W. E. Boardman, Ex officio, Philadelphia. 

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
Rev. Rollin II. Neale, D. D., Boston, Mass. 
Hon. Geo. Patton, Bath, Me. 
Rev. Col. James Pike, Sanbornton Bridge, X. H. 
Hon. Erastus Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 
Edward S. Tobey, Esq., Boston, Mass. 
Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., Providence, R. I. 
Hon. W. A. Buckingham, Norwich, Conn. 
Nathan Bishop, LL.D., N. Y. 
Rev. Jas. Eells, D. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
John D. Hill, M. D., BuflFalo, N. Y. 
Samuel B. Caldwell, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Morris K. Jessup, M. D., N. Y. 
Rev. Charles Hodge, D. D., Princeton, N. J. 
William Frew, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D. D., Bishop of Delaware. 
Hon. Francis H. Pierpoint, Alexandria, Va. 
Hon. John Evans, Denver City, Colorado. 
Hon Waitman T. Wiley, Morgantown, W. V. 
Mitchell H. Miller, Washington, D. C. 
Rev. M. L. P. Thompson, D. D., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
A. E. Chamberlain, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Rt. Rev. C. P. M'llvaine, Bishop of Ohio, Cincinnati, 0. 
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, South Bend, Ind. 
John V. Farwell, Chicago, 111. 



22 CHKIST IX THE ARMY 



Hon. Jolm Owen, Detroit, Mich. 

Walter S. Carter, Milwaukee, Wis. 

Rev. E. Lehman, Chaska, Minn. 

Hon. Hiram Price, Davenport, Iowa. 

Rev. S. D. Storrs, Atchison, Kansas. 

J. B, Roberts, San Francisco, Cal. 

Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, Missouri. 

Rev. S. Cornelius, Portland, Oregon. 

Hon, James W. Nye, Carson City, Nevada. 

Rev. R. J. Breekenridge, D. D., Lexington, Ky. 

Prof. M. L. Stoever, Gettysburg, Pa. 

Branch organizations in most of the States and Terri- 
tories, and Army Committees in the principal cities and 
towns of the Union bring the Commission home to every 
household and furnish chains of connection between these 
households and our armies. 

Robert Patterson, I). D. 



CHRIST IN TIIK ARMV. 23 



III. 



W\xt Wxmi\)U$ 0f the (?Itri,^ttan 

Are as broad as the church and the nation, and as okl as 
the Gospel and civil society, and yet in their embodiment 
in an organized national agency, and in their application 
upon the scales of armies in active service, numbering 
nearly a million of men, and extending along a vrar line 
of 3,000 miles, and of a navy comprising hundreds of 
vessels, with 35.000 men afloat and ashore, they are as 
new as the Commission. 

I. Catholicity. 

II. Nationality. 

The Church of Christ of various names united in behalf 
of the men of every State gone to the war — a new thing 
under the sun ! 

These principles in combination, guai'anty freedom 
from sectional favoritism in distribution or sectarian 
influence in teaching, and give breadth of resource for 



24 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. ' 

supply at home and power of equalization in applica- 
tion to those in the field. By their action, ministers 
and others are enlisted from different denominations, 
stores gathered from all the people, and publications 
secured from the religious press, and all are sent where 
and when they are needed, without flooding one part to 
the neglect of another, whilst the defenders of the nation 
from every State and of every denominational prefer- 
ence are cared for, without partiality, 

III. Voluntariness. 

This is not new. It was old in the days of our Saviour 
and his apostles. Their example, however, gave it a 
new and heavenly lustre, never equalled before, nor since 
eclipsed, and still undimmed by the dust of centuries, 
the rust of ages, or the rubbish of infidelity. 

It is, however, new and wonderful in this new ex- 
ample, embracing all the members of this Commission 
and its numerous branches, with their chief executive 
officers, offices, and store-rooms, the regulated freedom 
of 20,000 miles of railway, 20,000 miles of telegraph, 
and of all Government vessels, the services of more than 
1,500 Christian ministers and laymen, and a large part 
of the immense supplies distributed, all on the principle, 
freely received, freely given. 

IV. Combination of Benefits for Body and Sonl. 

The ardent followers of John Wesley, who sought and 
won trophies on so many fields a hundred years ago, 
preached the Gospel with remarkable results in the army 
of Great Britain. Their aim was for the soul alone. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 25 

The English Florence Nightingale — name sweeter than 
the enchanting night-song of her own English namesake 
— in her aim combined bodily relief with religious bene- 
fits. Yet although her name is national, and her fame 
universal, her work was individual. 

Thousands of our American women, also, combine the 
two. Stars they are in our nation's firmament in this 
night of Avar. A galaxy so great that, instead of shining 
in single lustre like her of England, their brilliance 
l)leuds into one radiant cloud. Yet lovely as these 
instances are, — heroic. Christian, com2:)rehensive in aim, 
and great in numbers, — they lack the breadth of nation- 
ality in organization with unity of plan and ubiquity of 
])resence to reach all parts of the immense field at once. 

The Christian Commission alone, and the first since 
the world began, is a national agency, embracing man 
as mortal, yet immortal, in plans of beueficpnee for all 
parts of an immense army and navy actively engaged 
in v/ar. 

V, Reliance upon Unpaid Delegates. 

The system adopted eighteen hundred years ago by 
our Lord Jesus Christ was in j^rinciple the same. He 
selected and sent forth vien full of faith and tbc Holy 
(ihost, men so loving the world as to be willing to leave 
their homes and go without fee or reward to bear the 
giail tidings of a Saviour to the lost, and carrying with 
them their relief for the sick and the sufi'ering in the 
divine power of miracles for all maladies. 

But in a national organization, and in application to 



26 CHRIST IN THE ARMV. 

a vast army and navy engaged in active hostilities, this 
principle is new. 

From the national capital around the whole war circle, 
the entire length of the Alleghenies and the great west- 
ern rivers down to the Crescent City, and around, up again, 
all along the coast back again to the national capital, 
delegates of the Christian Commission are at work, in 
the apostolic spirit, for the apostolic pay. Armed, it is 
true, not with the power of miracles for all maladies, 
but with both stores and publications for all wants of 
body and mind. 

VI. Personal Distribution with Personal Ministrations. 

Stores given — never, if the soldier be under the sur- 
geon's care, without his consent and counsel — hut always, 
if possible, directly from the delegate to the soldier, and al- 
ways adding such personal service to the value of the 
gifts as may be needed. 

Is the gift a shirt, drawers, and socks for the soldier, 
wounded or sick ? Wash him first, and then put them 
on ! 

Is it a bed ? Make it up in order, and tenderly place 
him on it ! 

Is it only a blanket? Wrap him in it ! 

Is it some delicacy for the sick, or coffee, or soup for 
the worn or the wounded, or a meal for the hungry way- 
farer ? Prepare it nicely, and serve it ! The reward 
will come when in heaven the table shall be spread, and 
the King of kings shall come forth and serve you. 

Enhance the value of both gifts and services by kind 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 27 

words to the soldier as a man, not a machine ; as a man 
beloved for his heroic devotion to the Union, not despised 
as a mere hireling, food for powder and shot. Set his 
heart all a-glow with thoughts of the loving ones at 
home, who send the gifts and send the delegates to give 
them, and who wait for tidings and pray for the soldiers, 
and long for the time when, the war ended, peace re- 
stored, the Union saved, liberty achieved, republican 
government rescued and guarantied, the soldiers shall 
be welcomed back again, and the unsullied, coming forth 
like pure gold from the crucible, shall be loved and 
trusted as long as they live, and honored long after they 
are dead as the heroes who helped to save the nation ! 

Then when good gifts and kind words and deeds have 
made their impress, and the soldier exclaims, "Well, 
this is religion !" and says, " Tell me all about it, liow I 
can become a real Christian ?" then tell him of Jesus, 
his love, his sacrifice for sin, his power to save, his 
abundant grace, his readiness to pardon, his perfect 
righteousness — all, all the sinner's own by simple faith, 
and induce him to accept of the unspeakable gift, and 
let the news of a sinner saved ascend on angel wing to 
give new joy in the presence of God above, and let it 
go home to fill the waiting, longing hearts of loving 
ones with glad surprise, and there also awaken the 
inquiry for the way of life, and bring others to repent- 
ance. 

Then go stand in the chapel-tent, with its red, white, 
and blue flag afloat above it, inscribed 

"U. S. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION CHAPEL," 



28 CHRIST IN THE ARMY, 

crowded inside and around by men who have learned 
to reverence religion from such fruits, and there pro- 
claim the Gospel of peace to these men of war, preach 
Jesus and eternal life to these bronzed, battle-scarred 
heroes of many hair-breadth escapes, who know that 
there is but a step between them and death, and oh, how 
they listen ! How their breasts heave, and tears course 
their cheeks ! 

VII. Co-Operative. 

1. With Chaplains. — The chaplaincy is the govern- 
mental provision for the Christian care and culture of 
the army and navy. It is right and worthy of a Chris- 
tian nation. An enormous wrong would have been done 
if the hundreds of thousands of our sons and brothers 
had been called out from our Christian homes and 
churches, and exposed to the perils of camp and battle, 
without all possible provision for their preservation 
from demoralization and destruction, and for their 
present and eternal salvation. 

A chaplain for every regiment was ample, the best 
provision that Congress could make. The appointments, 
too, were made with sincere desire generally to carry out 
the beneficent design of Congress. That some unworthy 
men should seek and secure appointment, is not strange. 

That some good men, impelled to enlist by true pa- 
triotism and piety, should find themselves either from 
want of adaptation on their part, or want of support 
on the part of the men and officers of their regiments, 
in a false position, and be obliged to abandon it, i.s quite 



CHRIST IN THE ARMV. 29 

natural ; that the unworthy ones should disgrace their 
office by unworthy courses, and weak ones should be 
overcome and degenerate into habits of vice and crime, 
and that these instances should be seized upon as food 
for scandal, and be trumpeted to the ends of the world, 
was matter of course. So, also, was the sifting process, 
by which the number should decrease and the quality 
improve. 

Failure of some in power of endurance, exposed as they 
are to vicissitudes, hardships and privations, and of others 
in power of purpose to hold on to the end of the war, 
could not fail to reduce the number still more. 

But for the Christian Commission, on account of these 
things, to endeavor to supplant and supersede the re- 
maining chaplains, who had stood the test and kept on 
their course, would have been unwise, unpatriotic, and 
unchristian. To meet the deficiency of chaplain service 
as far as possible by its delegate system, and to aid the 
tried and noble men who, through all perils, hinderances, 
and hardships, still remain to serve God and our country 
to the end of the war, by supplying them with Scriptures, 
Hymns, and Psalms, and the best issues of the religious 
press, in every form, fresh, frequent and copious as pos- 
sible, is both wise, patriotic and Christian. 

The idea, however, that this work of supplementing 
and supplying the chaplaincy, is or ought to be the main 
work of the Christian Commission, is extremely con- 
tracted, and would reduce the sphere of the Commission 
from that of a great national, religious, and relief agency 
between the people, the church, the home, the press, on 



30 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

the one hand, and the army and navy on the other, to 
that of little more than a mere receiving and distributing 
agency between publishing establishments and chaplains. 
With these facts in view, co-operation with chaplains 
has been a steadfast principle with the Commission from 
the first. Help has never been sought in vain within the 
boundaries of our objects and means by any chaplain; 
nor will it ever be. 

2. Co-operation with Surgeons, Officers, and Chris- 
tian Men. — God has called more noble Christians foi'th 
into the service of the Union than ever before en- 
gaged in any one war upon earth. Scarcely a church or 
Sabbath school in the land is without its representatives 
in the war. Some congregations have given whole com- 
panies and more. Young Men's Christian Associations 
have given regiments in one or two instances, and large 
numbers in very many. Pastors have gone with the 
young men of some congregations, leaving behind few 
besides the old men and children with the women. Men 
have enlisted just as Howard procured his own arrest and 
incarceration in the dungeon, to be able to do good, and 
as Martyn went to India to win souls to Jesus. 

Nothing can delight these noble men, whether surgeons, 
officers, or soldiers, more than to be helped to the very 
thing they need at the time and place they need it, to 
enable them to relieve suffering, save life, and win souls 
to the Redeemer; and nothing can please the Commission 
better than to give these brethren beloved the help they 
crave just when and where they want it. 



CHRIST IN THE AKMY. 31 

One more must complete this specification of founda- 
tion principles, viz.: 
VIII. Eespect for Authorities. 

Before entering upon its work, the names, organization, 
purposes, and plans of the Commission, were laid before 
the President, the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, 
the General-in-Chief, and the Surgeon-CTcncral, and their 
approbation received. 

In each military department, general hospital, perma- 
nent camp and separate post or station, the consent 
and counsel of those in command have been sought, and 
obtained, at the threshold. 

Delegates are strictly enjoined, in the prosecution of 
their religious duties, to offer every possible assistance 
j to chaplains, but never to intrude uninvited upon their 
j i)roper domain. And in their work of ministering to the 
I health and comfort of those under medical treatment and 
I care, to do nothing without instructions from the sur- 
! geons in charge, and in all great emergencies on the bat- 
\ tie-ground, or in the field hospital, or at points where the 
I wounded are to be fed and cared for, during their removal 
[ from the front, always to report themselves to the medi- 
cal director or surgeon in charge, and place themselves 
I under his instructions for just that service which will 
j most effectually aid him in the work of relieving and 
saving our wounded heroes. 

And here let it be said to the praise of those in autho- 
I rity, that the Christian Commission has been greatly as- 
I sisted in its work, by the timely, wise, and generous 
I counsels and conduct of generals in the field, surgeons. 



32 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

oflBcers, and chaplains j to whom we and our country owe 
not only the meed of praise, but a debt of gratitude and 
love. 

These, then, Catholicity, Nationality, Voluntariness, 
Combination of Benefits for Body and Soul, Beliance upon 
unpaid Delegates, Personal Distribution with Personal 
Ministrations, Co-operation with Chaplains, Surgeons, 
Officers, and Christian men, and Bespect for Authorities, 
are the foundation principles of the United States Chris- 
tian Commission, which we are to see in play as we go 
to its principal centres of supply at home and fields of 
action at the war. 

Above all these principles of action, hovering over and 
coming down upon the heads and hearts of ministers, 
churches, people and delegates, like the Pentecostal 
breath of Heaven, baptizing them with fire, is the three- 
fold inspiration of love for the country, the soldiers, and 
the Saviour, It is this which gives the tongue of fire to 
those who .speak, the soul of bounty to those who give, 
the apostolic spirit to those who serve without pay, the 
tireless energy to those who work ; which writes Holi- 
ness to the Lord on the bells of the "iron horse," and 
upon the wires of the lightning messenger, and over all 
throws the halo of the millennial dawn, harbinger of the 

long-expected day. 

Bev. W. E. Boardman. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY, 33 



TV. 



Inspired by this love for the country, the soldiers, and 
the Saviour, and impressed by these principles of the 
Commission, the good-will of the people has sponta- 
neously supplied men, money, and stores. The artesian 
shaft of water, sunk far down by the hand of the Great 
Artificer, has penetrated the deeper stratum of Christian 
sympathy, and the abundant waters of beneficence come 
gushing forth in copious crystal streams. The Christian 
Commission has had no organ to embody and make 
known its works and its wants. The thought of having 
one was entertained, weighed, and abandoned in favor of 
public press, religious and secular, which, unbought and 
free, has been our willing and sufficient voice to the 
world. 

Few documents have been issued, and those sent to 
few except those who sought them, yet enough to fill 
many volumes has gone to the public by the voluntary 
action of the press. 



34 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

No jiaid agency system has been adopted for the field 
of supply. Delegates, returning from the seat of war, 
have added their voluntary testimony and service at 
home to their voluntary work in the field, and there 
never was such another agency to move the people. 
In two or three instances, indeed, returned delegates, 
under the pressure of constant and earnest demand for 
them to address public meetings, have been retained. 
This is scarcely an exception to the general principle. Ne- 
cessary sustenance has been the rule of compensation, 
and this largely met by special spontaneous provision out- 
side the general contributions to the Commission. "With- 
out an agency, and without an organ to urge them, the 
noblest and best people of the nation have, in their vari- 
ous centres, organized as committees and acted as local 
Christian Commissions, and as branches of the Christian 
Commission, appointed their officers, opened their offices 
and store-rooms, and issued their manifestoes. And the 
jieople, without drumming up, have sent in their money 
and stores to the various centres of supply, which in turn 
have poured in their streams into the general work of the 
Commission. 

Ministers and laymen, full of desire to give more than 
influence and money at home, have offered themselves at 
various centres, and gone under the auspices of the Com- 
mission, to all parts of the great war-belt, to do work, 
with head, heart, tongue, and hands, never dreamed of 
at home, and which no money could have hired them to 
do, work which only such men, so moved, ever could have 
done. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 35 

Meetings have been called for, and speakers knowing 
the work and plans of the Commission sent for, from 
far and near, not from idle curiosity, but from liberal 
l)urning desire to have men enlisted and money contri- 
buted. 

It is truly wonderful how freely and generously the 
streams have flowed in. Twice on Thanksgiving days, 
the first without timely notice to afford general concert 
of action, the people have by their contributions made 
their Thank Offerings through the Commission,- the 
second alone amounting to nearly ninety thousand dol- 
dollars. 

Twice in the City of Boston — once for the wounded 
of (lottysburg, and again for the Union prisoners in 
Richmond — E. S. Tobey, Esq., President of the Young 
Men's Christian Association, and the ex-President of the 
Board of Trade, and C. Demond, Esq., of the Commission, 
sat at a table, in the Merchants' Exchange, to receive 
the free offerings of the people, and without personal 
solicitation, over forty thousand dollars was bestowed. 

While our brave men were sweltering before Charleston 
in the extreme heat of last summer, and our fellow- 
citizens seeking comfort and health at the Springs and 
elsewhere, the occasion of our meetings at Saratoga was 
seized upon by the Chairman of the Commission, as- 
sisted by Governor Morgan, of New York, to present ac 
the dinner-tables of the hotels, the appeal which had 
come up from Charleston for ice. The result Avas volunta- 
ry contributions of nearly four thousand dollars, invested, 



J}6 CHRIST IN THK ARMY. 

sent forward, received, and hearty thanks returned there- 
for. 

The City of Providence where no appeal had before 
been made, responded to the call of the Chairman and 
Rev. George J. Mingins, for the Commission, by the 
subscription of nearly seven thousand dollars within a 
few days, 

Pottsville, at the first presentation of the work of the 
Commission by Rev. Dr. Patterson, of Chicago, and Rev. 
C. P. Lyford, from Camp Convalescent, gave nearly three 
thousand dollars, and subsequently volunteered to sup- 
ply coal, through the Chairman of the Commission, to 
the families of soldiers deceased, disabled, or away to the 
war. And the Reading Railroad has given free trans- 
portation for it all. 

Columbia, Pa., without an appeal from any one, volun- 
teered a handsome subscription. 

Philadelphia, at a single public Union meeting in the 
Church of the Epiphany, gave twelve thousand dollars. 

California has sent $114,000, with the promise of much 
more. 

The receipts in cash to 24th November, 1864, are 
$920,929.26 ; besides large quantities of boxes of hospi- 
tul stores. 

Of all this spontaneous liberality, the most remarkable 
features remain yet to be mentioned. 

Hotels — and these among the best in our cities — have 
opened their doors to the members and delegates of the 
Christian Commission, free of all charge. The Burnett 
House, Cincinnati, the Lindcll House and Barnum's 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 37 

Hotel, St. Louis, have received them as guests, without 
charge, and given unsolicited, but most gratifying assu- 
rance of their purpose to continue to do so. And the 
Continental, in Philadelphia, after entertaining the gen- 
tlemen from all parts of the country, for days, in attend- 
ance upon our meetings in October, when called upon 
fur the amount of their bill, which would have been 
nearly two hundred and fifty dollars, sent a kind note, 
saying, they begged to contribute it as their mite to- 
ward the great and good work. Other hotels may have 
done similar things, without its having been reported to 
us. 

Telegraph Coinjicinies have given facilities of inesti- 
mable value, without charge. Early in our history. Col. 
E. S. Sanford, President of the American Telegraph Com- 
pany, of his own accord, addressed a kind and polite 
note to the Chairman of the Christian Commission, 
stating the fact that he had then given orders to the offi- 
cers of his Company in the different cities, to make no 
charge for the transmission of official dispatches on busi- 
ness of the Commission. 

Nearly all the other companies in the loyal States sub- 
sequently gave the Commission the regulated freedom of 
their lines, measuring in the aggregate not less than 
twenty thousand miles — a most substantial and essential 
contribution, worth, at cash value, many thousands of 
dollars a year, and in its general influence, worth many 
times over more than the value in money j and messages 
on the business of the Commission now flash fi-ee of 
charge from Portland. Oregon, to Portland, Maine 



;i.S CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Railroad, Steamboat^ and S'taf/e Companies have given 
their facilities with equal cheerfulness. More than three 
thousand delegates have been passed over the railways to 
the seat of war and home again, during the year, without 
charge ; some of them all the way from Bangor and be- 
yond, in Maine, to Chattanooga, in Tennessee, and from 
San Francisco to the tops of the Sierra Nevada, and the 
Dalles of the Columbia. Passes have been given to mem- 
bers of the Commission and of its various branches, and 
j to its returned delegates and others going out to hold meet- 
I ings, and stores and publications have been transported, 
j either entirely free, or at greatly reduced rates. It can be 
I no longer said that corporations are bodies without souls. 
! We have the most substantial evidence that they may be, 
and arc governed by the noblest principles and the most 
generous impulses. 

When the historian comes to write the history we arc 
now making, that of the railway benevolence and pa- 
triotism of this war will form one of the interesting and 
icmarkable features of the times ; and there are names 
among those who have controlled the affairs of the va- 
rious companies, which will shine with no moan lustre 
when their deeds shall be told. 

Pre-eminent in amount, and most precious in kind 
have been the contributions of the Amei-ican Bible So- 
eiety, — over one million copies of the Sci'iptures, entire 
or in portions, valued at $125,000, — to this date. It is a 
matter of ceaseless gratitude, that God has provided such 
a source of benefit and blessing to our brave men for this 
the time of their need, and given its management into 



CHRIST TN THE ARMY. ■ ;)9 

the hands of men so true to their trust, yet so ready for 
the emergency. 

Elsewhere in this report will be found interesting 
papers, giving accounts in detail of several extraordinary 
contributions — that of a lady in England through the 
President of the United States; that of men at sea, on 
board the man-of-war Pocahontas: and that of the mis- 
sionaries in India. 

A Syrian gentleman sends a collection of curiosities to 
be sold for the benefit of our wounded soldiers. 

The citizens of Nevada Territory send a silver brick, 
value for twenty-nine hundred dollars. 

Mr. E. W. Sinclair, of Central City, Colorado Ten-i- 
tory, sends scrip of Wyandott Lodge, No. 4, value for 
$500; and by the same mail we receive from Messrs. 
Hueks & Lambert, of San Francisco, an invoice of a hun- 
dred barrels of Axle Grease. 

A servant girl in Philadelphia from the savings of her 
wages, gave fifty dollars during the year. 

Ladies have given Brooches, Bracelets, Chains and 
Shawls of great value. 

Mr. Wells Williams, the author of "The Middle King- 
dom," sends three hundred dollars from China. 

These are a few instances only of the vast number, all 
of which, taken together, form one of the noblest illustra- 
tions of spontaneous Christian benevolence that the world 
has ever witnessed. 

Rev. W. E. Boardman. 



40 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



V. 



MEMORIAL 



To Christian Ladies and Christian Ministers. 

The Loyal Christian Women of our beloved coun- 
try have done, and are doing a great deal to relieve, 
cheer, and save the noble men who are exposing their 
own lives to save the life of the Nation, and they arc 
ready to do still more as opportunity may ofiFer. Of 
them, and for them, we may confidently say, that no- 
thing will be left undone, which Christian women can 
with propriety possibly do, to promote either the bodily 
welfare or religious benefit of those who fight the battles 
of our nation. 

The loyal Cliristian women of our beloved country 
will take double pleasure in honoring our dear Ke- 
deemer while they bless the defenders of the Union, and 
relieve those who suffer in its cause. It will give them 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 41 

the profoundest joy to add to the cup of cold water minis- 
tered to the thirsty soldier on the field of blood, the 
Christian grace of having it given by a disciple of Jesus, 
and accompanied by the comforting words of salvation. 
If, while they aid in saving the nation by saving, cheering, 
strengthening its defenders, and serve the cause of hu- 
manity by mitigating anguish, and ministering com- 
fort to the sick, the wounded, the dying, they can, at the 
same time, in all they do, glorify the precious Saviour 
who died for us — their delight will be full, their reward 
abundant. 

Happily, a plan has been formed, which, if carried 
out, cannot fail of honoring the Saviour, benefiting the 
soldier, and helping the country on a truly national 
scale. The United States Chx-istian Commission needs 
the organized aid of the ladies to supply money and 
stores for its work, and a national movement has com- 
menced with a view to the organization of a Ladies' 
Christian Commission in each evangelical congregation 
of the whole country not in rebellion, with an annual 
membership fee of one dollar for each member. 

The excellence of this plan will be seen at a glance. 

1. In its i^erfect feasibility. Few churches will refuse 
to enter into it. Most of them will rejoice in placing 
themselves side by side with the great body of the 
churches of our Lord Jesus in so great a movement and 
so good a work. Few, if any, who love our Saviour, 
our country, and the brave men of our army and navy, 
will refuse to aid by giving their names and the small 
fee require'd. 



42 CHRIST IN THE ARMY, 

2. In its remarkable economij. Most churches will pro- 
bably act in the matter at once, and proceed to organize 
spontaneously. And, if necessary, there are among the 
ladies enough who will cheerfully visit, without salary, 
such churches as need any one to aid them in organizing: 
and thus this great national movement can be thoroughly 
carried out without the expense of a salaried agency. 

3. In its grand results. If generally adopted, it will 
enlist the organized aid of nearly all in all our evange- 
lical congregations, present the whole Church united in 
one grand work of patriotic Christian benevolence, and 
secure to the United States Christian Commission an 
immense fund, not less than a million of dollars, for the 
unlimited expansion and vigorous prosecution of its 
great work in all parts of the army and navy. 

As a Committee, appointed by the ladies of Phila- 
delphia, and charged with the duty of memoralizing 
the ladies of all the loyal States, we lay this matter be- 
fore you, and solicit your hearty co-operation in the 
movement. Accompanying this memorial, you will find 
the form of a constitution, purposely made short, com- 
prehensive, and plain, which, if need be, you can change 
in any particular to suit the circumstances of your own 
church. Pastor and ladies uniting, a Commission can 
be formed without delay in each church, and a little 
pains on the part of both, and especially on the part of 
the ladies, will serve to secure all members of the con- 
gregation as members of the Commission. 

This done, the first great object of the movement will 
have been accomplished. A grand Christian national 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 43 

organization will have been secured, and means will 
have been easily, largely, and eeonomically accumulated. 
And this can be done without subverting, changing, or 
limiting any other organization which may have been 
already formed. 

Beyond this, the Commission, when organized in any 
congregation not already engaged in the work through 
some other channel, can adopt measures for gathering 
and preparing stores, and thus render material aid to the 
United States Christian Commission by the contribution 
of stores to be distributed by its delegates, or to supply 
its diet kitchens in connection with the great hospitals 
in the field. 

May we not confidently rely upon prompt and efiicient 
action on the part of all Christian ladies and Christian 
ministers in aid, by all suitable means, of this national 
Christian movement? 

This memorial has been responded to by thousands of 
ladies all over the land, from Oregon to Maine, who 
have adopted the following Constitution. The Ladies' 
Christian Commission of California has I'cmitted fifty- 
one thousand dollars. 



FORM OF CONSTITUTIOJf 

FOR 

LADIES' CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 

Ladies' Christian Commission of 

Auxiliary to the United States Christian Com- 
mission for the Army and Navy. 

Article I. The officers of this Commission shall be 



44 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, 
chosen annually from the ladies of the congregation, 
but to hold office until others shall be elected. 

Art. II. Any member of the congregation, man, wo- 
man, or child, may become a member of this Commis- 
sion by the payment of One Dollar annually intto its 
treasury. 

Art. III. All money received for membership fees 
shall be paid over to the ( * ) United States Christian 
Commission, for its general work, and go into a national 
" Membership Fund." 

Art. IV. All moneys received by this Commission in 
contributions over and above membership fees, and from 
every other source, shall, after making therefrom all 
necessary purchases, and defraying needful expenses, be 
paid over to the United States Christian Commission for 
the general work, and toward another national fund, to 
be known as the " Donation Fund." 

Art. V. An annual meeting shall be held on the 
of , of which notice shall be given at some previous 

public meeting of the congregation. Full reports of the 
affairs of this Commission shall be made by the Secretary 
and Treasurer, and an election of officers shall be held at 
each annual meeting. 

Art. VI. This Constitution may be altered or amended 
at any annual meeting, provided public notice be given 
at the time the notice of the meeting is given, that such 
alteration or amendment will be proposed. 

* If report be made to any Branch of the United States Chris- 
tian Commission, here give its name. 



CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 45 

SUGG-ESTIONS. 

To carry out the National plan of Ladies' Christian 
Commissions fully, it will be necessary, 1. To form a 
Commission in each separate congregation. 2. To have 
each Commission directly auxiliary to the United States 
Christian Commission, or some one of its branches. 
3. To have the organization reported in full to the 
United States Christian Commission, or the branch with 
which the Ladies' Christian Commission connects itself, 
together with the name of the Ladies' Commission and 
the names of its officers. 4. To have the amount paid in 
for admission fees paid over directly to the United States 
Christian Commission, or the branch to which the La- 
dies' Commission attaches itself as auxiliary. If money 
be needed for the purchase of materials to make up, or 
for carrying on the work in the locality where the 
Ladies' Commission is situated, let it be secured in some 
other way, so as to leave the general membership fund 
unreduced. The Ladies' Christian Commissions should 
not only swell this fund as largely as possible, but have 
full credit for it in the reports of the United States 
Christian Commission, and in the history of the day. 

In carrying out this plan, it is not at all necessary that 
those who become members of a Ladies' Christian Com- 
mission should cease to be members of any other associa- 
tion in the same church or community, designed to benefit 
the soldier, either through the United States Christian 
Commission or any other agency in the field. It is not 
necessary that a Ladies' Christian Commission should in 
every case be a society for gathering stores, or making 



46 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

up garments, however desirable that might be in itself. 
Two great objects will be attained by getting all to become 
members, — the membership fund will be augmented by 
the fees paid in, and all will be combined in the great 
National Christian Commission. If to these the further 
benefit can be added of having stores gathered and gar- 
ments prepared, that will be well; but although impor- 
tant, it is not indispensable. Let every church organize, 
and every member of the congregation join. And then, 
whatever else can be done, will be so much gained. 

Much, however, may be done by the ladies in addition 
to the means they gather by membership fees, and the 
interest they enlist, by combining great numbers in the 
Commission. They may encovirage their ministers in the 
successful establishment of monthly soldiers' meetings 
with monthly collections, as proposed by the United 
States Christian Commission. They may meet and make 
up clothing, <fec., for the soldiers. They may gather in 
stores, and they may solicit and secure contributions in 
addition to the fees of those who become members. 
They may secure for the great work of the United States 
Christian Commission, besides the "Membership Fund," 
another, possibly as large, to be known as the "Donation 
Fund," both of which, in the reports and history of the 
benevolence called forth by the sad exigencies of this 
terrible war, will be known distinctly as part of what 
has been done by woman. 

Ladies' Christian Commissions on this plan have been 
successfully organized in the princii)al cities of the Union 
from Philadelphia to San Francisco. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 47 



VI. 



gluthorittf. 



The position of the United States Christian Commission 
in the armies and navies of the United States is shown 
in the following letters from the President, Vice-Presi- 
dent, Heads of Departments, and Generals in command. 
Want of space pi'events the insertion of commendations 
from (renerals Hooker, Birney, Casey, Patrick, Howiird, 
and many others: 

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, ] 
December 12th, 1861. J 

My Dear Sir: — Your letter of the eleventh instant, 
and accompanying plan, both of which are returned as a 
convenient mode of connecting this with them, have just 
been received. Your Christian and benevolent under- 
taking for the benefit of the soldiers, is too obviously 
proper and praiseworthy to admit of any difference of 
opinion. I sincerely hope your plan may be as success- 
ful in execution as 'it is just and generous in conception. 
Your obedient servant, 

A. LINCOLN. 
George H. Stuart, Esq., 
Chairman U. S. Christian Commission, Philadelphia, Pa. 



48 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

ADDRESS OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OP THE 
UNITED STATES— HON. HANNIBAL HAMLIN 

At the Washington Anniversary. 
Ladies and Gentlemen: — I can conceive of no object 
more worthy of your respect, or one which should more 
earnestly elicit your attention, than the purpose for which 
you have assembled to-night. While the Uovernment 
under which we live was struggling for its existence, and 
sending forth its armies to the field for the preservation 
and perpetuation of free and liberal institutions, and 
while we were passing through that crisis which every 
nation on earth must pass through ere it can arrive at 
the magnitude and power of our own, there came to its 
aid, and rendered most essential service in the time of its 
trial, this Chi-istian Commission. It came to perform 
the duties of a living, practical Christianity; and while 
it came "to bear with liberty and law the Bible in the 
van," it came also with its angels, ministering on the 
field and in the camp, to stanch the blood, to heal the 
wounds, to raise the sick, and let the brave and gallant 
soldier in the field know that he was cared for at home. 
Upon every battle-field, in every camp, in every hospital, 
the kind and Christian influences of this Association 
have been felt. They cannot be measured by words. 
More, I am told, than twelve hundred of its missionaries 
have bestowed their Christian mini*;trations in all the 
various departments; more than a million dollars have 
been expended in its great and religious purposes; and 
it has been a practical, living Christianity they dispensed 
— a Christianity that has nerved the soldier in the hour 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 49 

of conflict, and cheered him on the conch of pain and in 
the hour of battle. It is our duty to give to that Asso- 
ciation our aid, our countenance, and our heartiest 
prayers, while they have been doing, are doing, and will 
continue to do this invaluable service. I am happy to 
be with them on this occasion, and to lend any feeble aid 
which I maybe able to give to farther it along the rugged 
path of its duty. 

LETTER FROM SECRETARY STAXTOX. 

War Department, ^ 

Washington City, April 16, 1864. j 
Dear Sir: — Among the benevolent associations organ- 
ized by patriotic and charitable men during the present 
war, none has sui-passed, and few, if any, have equalled 
tlie Christian Commission in zeal, energy, and disin- 
terested devotion to the humane objects of their institu- 
tion. Their eificient labors in the field, in the hospital, 
and in the camp, have been felt by soldiers and ofiicers, 
and have frequently been brought to the notice of this 
Department. It is not only a pleasure, but I regard it 
as an official duty, to commend it to public confidence 
and respect, as an institution whose labors cannot fail to 
contribute greatly to the welfare of our armies. 
Yours, truly, 

EDAVIN M. STANTON, 

Secretary of War. 
Rev. H. Dyer, New York. 



50 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



REAR ADMIRAL FOOTE, CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF 
EQUIPMENT AND RECRUITING. 

Bureau of Equipment and Eecruiting, ") 
Washington, February 18, 1863. J 

Admiral: — This Bureau has been charged with the 
duty of attending to the requisitions of the Christian 
Commission of the army and navy, so far as the navy is 
concerned. It is the wish of the Department to have 
forwarded moral and religious works, with hospital deli- 
cacies, etc., to the different squadrons, in vessels bound 
to these squadrons. 

You will please, therefore, have the beneficent object 
of the Christian Commission in view, and afford it every 
possible reasonable accommodation consistent with the 
public interest, and forward such articles as it wishes for 
the temporal and spiritual welfare of those engaged in 
the naval service. 

Please refer to the Bureau applications for passage, 
which must be made and indorsed by some one in con- 
nection with the Association. 

The officers of the Society are gentlemen of the high- 
est standing in New York. 

Respectfully, etc., 

A. H. FOOTE, 

Chief of Bureau. 
Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding, 

Commandant Navy Yard, New York. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMV. 51 

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR. 
War Departmext, Washington City, Oct. 27, 1864. 
Dear Sir: — I have read^with great interest the report 
of the doings of the Christian Commission during the 
year 1863, which you have so kindly sent me. Some of 
the facts which it narrates I had myself witnessed, but 
the comprehensive view of your noble enterprise, which 
the Report presents is deeply interesting. God bless the 
Christian Commission, and may its eflforts be as success- 
ful as they are admirable. 

Yours, faithfully, 

C. A. Daxa. 
George H. Stuart, Esq. 



THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Througli the State Agent and Gov. Brough. 

D. Rees and D. Blakeslee, Esqs., sent to General Butler's 
Army to look after the welfare of the Ohio regiments, give 
to Hon. James C. Wetmore, the State Agent at Washing- 
ton, a very interesting report, which, through Governor 
Brough, to whom it was transmitted, comes to vis from 
Columbus, Ohio, through the Cincinnati Commercial. In 
it they take occasion to bear testimony as follows for the 
Christian Commission : — 

"Fortress Monroe is the outlet from both Butler's and 
Grant's armies, and on this account is an important point 
for a hospital. This fact is fully realized by the Chris- 
tian Commission, and, therefore, they have established 



52 V CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

their head-quarters at this place, from which they can 
readily send sujjplies either up the York or James river. 
Of the good work done by this Association, we cannot 
speak in too high terms of commendation. Wherever we 
went we found them on hand, administering to the wants 
of the soldier, 'without money and "without price,' not 
awaiting the formal order of unfeeling officials. 

"Your committee has been forced to the unwilling con- 
clusion that the most direct and sure channel by which 
supplies can reach the needy soldier, and at the same 
time much the cheapest, are State organizations and the 
Christian Commission." 



DR. CADY TO THE U. S. CHRISTIAN COMMIS- 
SION. 

Hkadquarters 2d Brigade, 3d Div., 3d Corps, ) > 
December 13, 1863. J 

Bear Sir: — A sense of duty compels me to thank, 
through you, the noble Christian Commission for the 
assistance afforded by its agents to the wounded of this 
brigade, before and during the retrograde movement of 
the army from the Rapidan. 

The wagon of the Commission was constantly at the 
hospital, in the field, and with the ambulance train during 
the retreat, and your agents seemed indefatigable in dis- 
pensing necessary food, medicine, bandages, stimulants, 
etc., to our wounded and sick ; and I know that, through 
their enterprise and humanity, a great amount of suffer- 
ing was alleviated. For six days and nights your agents 
were constantly emjiloycd in the work of Christian mercy ; 



CHRIST IK THE ARMY. 53 

six bitter cold days and nights did they labor without 
cessation. 

In the name of the wounded ■ of my brigade, I tender 
you and the Commission most hearty thanks. 
I am, dear sir, truly yours, 

CHARLES E. CADY. 
2d Brigade, 3d Div., 3d Corps. 
GrEORCrE H. Stuart, Esq., 

President Christian Commission, Philadelphia. 



>.} 



SPECIAL ORDER, OF GEN. GRANT. 

Headquarters Mil. Div. of the Miss. 
In the Field, Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1863. 

Special Order No. 23. Ex. 

All officers holding commands in the Military Division 
of the Mississippi, are hereby required to extend every 
facility not inconsistent with the pviblic service, to all 
Delegates of the United States Christian Commission, and 
aid them by every legitimate means in their power, to 
the accomplishment of the benevolent and chai'itable pur- 
poses of the Commission. 

Permission will at all times be granted by the proper 
military authorities to such delegates to pass to all parts 
within the lines, without hinderance or molestation. 

The Commissary Department will at all times sell to 
such delegates, upon certificates similar to those given by 
officers, such stores as they may need for their own use. 

Military telegraph lines will transmit for such dele- 



s' 



54 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

gates messages relating to the business of the Commis- 
sion. 

The Quartermaster's Department will, upon application, 
furnish such delegates and their stores free transporta- 
tion upon all government steamers and military railroads 
to and from such points within the military division as 
their duty may require them to visit. 

By order of Major-General U. S. GRANT. 

Geo, K. Leet, Ass't Adj't Gen. 
Rev. E. p. Smith, 

Gen, Field Agent U. S. Christian Commission, 



Special Orders, No. 362. 

Adjutant General's Office, ] 
Washingtox, bctobsr 24, 1864. j 

[extract.] 
56. Permission to visit the U. S, General Hospitals, 
within the lines of the several Military Departments of 
the United States, for the purpose of superintending the 
preparation of food in the Special Diet Kitchens of the 
same, is hei-eby granted Mrs, Annie Wittenmyer, Special 
Agent U. S. Christian Commission, and such ladies as 
she may deem proper to employ, by request of United 
States Surgeons. The Quartermaster's Department will 
furnish the necessary transportation. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E, D, TOWNSEND, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



CHEIST IN THE ARMY. 



■vir. 
e§ii<^tinw ami WniL 

I. Division of the Army Field. 

General 1. Armies near Richmond. 

2. Army in the Shenandoah Valley. 

3. Army of the Cumberland, &g., &c. 

4. Armies along the Southern Mississippi. 

5. Armies in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. 

6. The navy, Southern coast and Gulf, sup- 
plied from New York. 

St'kiual. Stations and Corps organizations. 

A station in each great army centre, when the 

army is at rest; and a moving organization 

' in each corps when the army moves. 

Out stations to meet wants of various sections. 

Permanent stations in all great perma.nent 

centres. 



56 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

II. Men and Women for the Field. 

J . Agents. — Permanent — paid. 

One field agent for each general division, five in all, 
with assistants in the larger fields. 

One station agent or corps captain for each station or 
corps organization, with teamsters. 

2. Delegates for six weeks, or longer, unpaid; from 
two to ten at each station, as needed; and at City Point, 
forty to fifty. Three hundred the full corps. Over three 
thousand in all have served. 

3. Managers of Diet Kitchens. — About sixty ladies 
employed. 

Ill, Appliances. 

1. Barrack chapels, store and su^bsistence rooms, at 
permanent camps. 

2. Chapel, store and subsistence tents, at all moveable 
stations. 

3. Chui-ches, houses, &c., detailed by Government, at 
most permanent stations. 

4. Wagons and teams, four-horse, for each moving or- 
ganization; two-horse for such stations as require them. 

5. Special diet kitchens in field-hospitals, managed un- 
der direction of the Surgeons, by Christian Commission 
lady managers. 

IV. Labors. 

1. Hospital. — Preaching; prayer-meetings; personal 
intercourse with soldiers; and distribution. 

2. Field. — The same — at all stations, and along the 
lines ; at all out stations, isolated posts, batteries, &c. 

3. Battle-field work. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 57 

4. Individual relief, aid and information, at special re- 
quest. 

5. Forwarding home money for soldiers in service, and 
effects of deceased soldiers. 

6. Managing special diet kitchens, under medical au- 
thorities. 

V. What is Distributed. 
1. Battle-field, hospital, and special diet kitchen stores; 
such as shirts, drawers, socks, handkei'chiefs, towels, ban- 
dages, lint, farina, corn-starch, crackers, cordials, dried 
fruits, canned fruits, fresh apples, grapes, loeaches, &c., 
onions, potatoes, ice, syrups, jellies, pickles, &g., Jamaica 
ginger, condensed milk. Bibles for hospitals and Bible- 
classes ; Testaments to all soldiers. Scriptures in German, 
French, and other foreign languages. Gun-boat libraries, 
hospital libraries, soldiers' books, weekly and monthly 
religious papers: over four hundred thousand a month; 
tracts. Silent Comforters, &c. 

Bev. W. E. Boardmon. 



58 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



YIII. 



ill CiimiK 



The work of the Commission in Camp, in keeping up 
the influences of religion, and bringing them to bear per- 
sonally on the soldiers, may be seen from the following 
letters from delegates and chaplains. 

The Christian Commission iu Arkansas. 
The rooms of the Christian Commission were opened 
in Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 1st of February, 1864. 
A pleasant and commodious place having been procured 
in a conspicuous part of the city, we unfurled the ''Ban- 
ner," and commenced sounding the " Gospel Trumpet.'' 
For spiritual growth and Divine guidance in our mission 
of love, a Daily Prayer Meeting was immediately ap- 
pointed at 2 o'clock, as a proper and successful means. 
And here let me remark, that wherever the Commission 
has been established, the first thing was to dedicate the 
spot to Almighty God, and earnestly seek His favor and 
direction. To accomplish proper and desirable results, 
we must use proper and appointed means. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 59 

The building we have obtained is a large two-story 
dwelling house, situated on the southwest corner of Main 
and Mulberry Streets, which had just been leased to the 
W. S. Commission, but through the kindness of its agent, 
G. M, Wyeth, we were welcome to one-half of it, and thus 
united under the same roof the two " Sisters of Charity." 

The object of the Commission and its actual workings 
in other Departments being almost entirely unknown to 
the greater portion of this, it required much perseverance, 
as well as patience to get established, and to procure the 
respect and encouragement of those with whom we have 
to do. But with the help of the ** Good Master," whose 
cause it is. wc at first secured the favor of the Command- 
ing General, and a lively and growing interest soon be- 
came manifest. At first soldiers would come in rather 
hesitatingly, to inspect and to inquire the price of things, 
often saying among themselves that "they allowed it was 
a sutler's shop, or some 'shebang,' following the army to 
keep greenbacks from moulding." But a knowledge of 
the Commission at once commanded resj^ect, and the 
growing interest may be seen by the following report: 

Average number that visited the rooms daily for the 
following five months: — February, 20,- March, 45; April, 
90; May, 175; June, 140. Average number that attended 
the Daily Prayer Meeting: — February, 7; March, 12: 
April, 18; May, 50; June, 45. Reading matter distri- 
buted at this and other military posts, viz.. Fort Smith, 
Pine Bluff, and Duvall's Bluff, during these five months: 
Soldier Books, 6787; Testaments, 4581; Hymn Books, 
271?.; Magazines, 064; Library Books, 440; Papers, 



60 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



(59,771; Pages Tracts 329,528; the sura total distributed 
in June being twelve times that in February, and besides 
have distributed a large number of Charts, Almanacs, 
"Silent Comforters," ''Green Pastures," "Words of Life." 
'•Words for the Heart," Ac, to the Hospitals, and Spell- 
ing Books, Bible Readers, Copy Books, Ac, to colored 
regiments. Have also issued to Hospitals — shirts, sheetfe, 
pillow-slips, drawers, handkerchiefs and towels; and have 
put into the hands of soldiers many luxuries, consisting 
of dried, pickled and canned fruits, condensed beef and 
milk, wines, candies, jellies, jams, &c., &c. Have, during 
the time, held 180 religious meetings, besides many hospi- 
tal and funeral services. Have furnished stationery for 
the hospitals,>and often sitting dowii by the bed-side of 
the sick and wounded, written out their requests and sent 
them to their dear ones at home: talked with them of 
Jesus, and, if dying, commended them to him in prayer, 
and forwarded the sad news to their families. All of 
which have brought many a smile as well as tear, and 
many an earnest " Grod bless you and them that sent you." 
iV. W. Chrintian Advocate. 

Virginiar— A Noble Eecord, 

Camp of the 14th N. J. Vols., | 
Near Charlestown, Va., Sept. 16th, '64. j 

(tko. H. Stuart, Esq.: — My Dear Brother.: — Cannot 
something be done for this part of the army, by your noble 
Commission, in the way of supplying us with mental and 
spiritual food? 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 61 



Our regiment is greatly rodueoil, our casualties during 
the campaign being over four hundred I Still we have 
about two hu^ndred and fifty left. Out of two hundred 
and fifty of the regiment converted last winter at Brandy 
Station, about two hundred are killed or wounded. Our 
killed all left a good record. Not one of them ever difi- 
graced the profession they made during the winter. We 
have a remnant left; their intluenee is still a power. 

Cards or Books. 

We keep up regular evening services: but the good that 
might be done, and ought to be done, is almost nothing, 
because of the want of something to emploj- the mind 
and heart during the long days we are passing. For three 
months I never saw a card in the regiment: yesterday I 
saw two games! I objected: l)ut the boys say: '^Chap- 
lain, we must do something to employ our time. We are 
only playing in fun, because we have nothing else to do !" 
This will be the entering wedge of greater evils. Pay-day 
will bring its accessory of real gambling, if this cannot 
now be cheeked. A supply of two hundred good papers 
weekly, and a feAV good books for distribution, will save 
numbers of our men from destruction. I look for an ac- 
tive and bitter campaign this fall. Some of our boys will 
be killed. It remains for the Christian Commission, un- 
der God, to open to them the gate of Paradise. What can 
you do? We get Philadelphia morning papers every 
evening. Why can't we have i-eligious papers once a 
week ? 

Can't we get auy thing to read. 

I never felt more encouragement in doing my duty than 



62 CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 

now, but I never was so powerless in the matter of assist- 
ance. Our boys say: *• Can't we get any thing to read?" 
and I told them, '* I don't know, but I'll make a big effort,- 
I'll -RH-ite to George H. Stuart and see. I don't believe 
but that we can." 

I have written. I know your task is great and onerous, 
and your calls loud and many ; but a moment's thought 
in behalf of these noble Jersey Blues, of the old 6th corps, 
will eventuate in great good. 

Affectionately your brother in Christ, 
Frank B. Rose, 
Chaplain, 14th N. J. V. 
The Eevival at Camp Distribution. 

I found at Camp Distribution an interesting work of 
grace in progress. It increased in power. Truly the 
Spirit did a great work among the soldiers at this point. 
The meetings were marked for a deep, quiet, intense 
feeling of interest during service. Many arose for prayer 
when the opportunity was given thus to ask for the 
prayers of Grod's people. Sometimes ten, sometimes 
twenty, and as high as one hundred. In one instance, 
when there wei"e over one thousand 2)resent, it seemed as 
if iiearly one-half in the house arose. 

Very many desired to make a public profession of their 
faith in Christ. 

I found there a church organization. Confession of 
Faith adopted by a number of brethren of different deno- 
minations, also a record of names of members, &e. 

In accordance with their custom, after careful examina- 
tion, we admitted, and baptized the unbaptized. 



CHRIST IX THE AKMY. 63 

I officiated in admitting one hundred and fifty-two, 
(152,) of which I baptized one hundred and one, (101) 
persons. These were all received after a personal exami- 
nation of each, except in one instance we examined a 
number at one time before the congregation, for want of 
time. Many applied for admission who could not be re- 
ceived for want of clear evidence of a change of heart. 

Those admitted gave good evidence of true conversion, 
many gave, I can but say, as clear evidence of true con- 
version as any persons I ever admitted to church privi- 
leges. 

That camp, now under the supervision of the excellent 
Brother Fisher, is truly a point of great interest, and 
should be remembered in the prayers of God's peoj^le. 

Hoping the Spirit will continue the glorious work there 
and elsewhere in the army, I remain your brother in 
Christ. a. M. Hair. 

Cambridge City, Indiana, Oct. 30, 1864. 



64 CHRIST IN THE ARMY, 



IX. 

Individual Relief, 
Philadelphia, June 24th, 1864. 

''I see by the telegraphic news from San Francisco, 
that the women of our city are holding a meeting relative 
to the Christian Commission. There is a woman's branch 
of this noble work forming in every city here, and there 
can be no better benevolence organized. They do good 
and efficient service here, I know, and occupy their place 
in the great arena of need, as well as the Government 
Medical StaflF, and Sanitary Commission. It may not be 
amiss to give you a little experience of my oyn in all 
three. Discovering that a young relative was wounded 
at Hanover Junction, on the North Anna, and carried to 
a hospital at Alexandria, I went at once to the 'chief 
medical officer of the Susquehanna' to find out his con- 
dition, and was directed by him to memorialize the "Chief 
M. D. of the Potomac" on the subject, which I did. I 
then wrote to the Sanitarj'^ Commission at Washington, 
with the same view; and finallj', on Schcmuierhorn's 
principle of swallowing the bottle after taking the phy- 
sic, ended by addressing the Christian Commission. In 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 65 

two days I was telegraphed by the latter body, that 
the young man lay at the "Soldiers Eest:" that one of 
their number was in attendance on him, and would see 
him possessed of all the comforts in their power. The 
next day, while a member of his family was on the way 
to Alexandria, the poor boy, with forty others, was sent 
from the "Rest" to New York Hospital; and so ill able 
were they to be moved, that two of them died on the way 
to Philadelphia, which they reached about four o'clock 
the following morning after they left Alexandria. Being 
utterly unable to go farther, and, moreover, not concur- 
ring in the wisdom of Government in sending him from 
the city of his birth, to a hospital in a place where he 
knew no one, this young relative of mine deserted, in the 
face of consequences, at the first halt they made, which 
happened to be at the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Sa- 
loon;" and jsresented himself at full length on our door 
step, in an unconscious state, about daybreak, having 
walked or crawled about two miles with an arm that was 
a shattered mass, and which has since been amputated. 
Having accomi^lished this feat, it seemed improbable, for 
an hour or two, that he would ever achieve any other in 
this world, as he hung between life and death, with a 
decided leaning towards the latter. Rallying slightly 
by and by, it became necessary to report his irregularity^, 
and gain his admittance to the proper hospital, as it is 
not possible in the rules of the service to keep a wounded 
soldier in any other way. * '••■ * * -•■' * 
I found the poor fellow, who was awaiting my return, 
somewhat revived, and he told me that the number in the 



6« 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



''Rest" was so great, that he was a long time in getting 
attention. The Christian Commission friend was the first 
to come to him, and that was on the day after his wound, 
when he was a most oflfensive object, and literally eaten 
with the vermin that infest wounds. This Samaritan 
brought him a shirt and drawers, and gave him a bath. 
The old clothing had to be cut and scraped off, owing to 
the clotting of the blood that fixed it like paste upon him, 
and such dressing as could be done to such an arm as his, 
was done for him. He had no other care till he came to 
us, and all we could do was to apply ice-water to the 
burning wound. In the hospital all that ai't can invent 
to lessen the pain, is furnished for the poor fellows; rests 
for wounded limbs, wheeled chairs, air cushions, machines 
for keeping up a steady stream of water on a wound, and 
every delicacy that can tempt a weak appetite. Sister 
Gonzaga, the superior of the female nurses, is kind and 
attentive enough to win proselytes to her faith; and ice- 
cream, custard, jellies, blanc-manges are manufactured by 
her as aptly as if she were an old confectioner. 

About four days after the comfortable settling of the 
young man in the hospital, I received a very pleasant 
and satisfactory note from the Secretary, saying that 
they had found, on application to the chief of the Medi- 
cal Directory, that a person of the name I mentioned had 
been admitted into the "Soldier's Rest Hospital," at 
Alexandria, that he was badly wounded in the right arm 
and that they were "most respectfully," etc. I was gra- 
tified at the trouble they had taken, and still more so 
when, exactly twelve days from the time he entered the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 67 

hospital here, I was assured, on the testimony of United 
States officers, that there was no such person alive as the 
object of my solicitude. M. H. 

The Alfa California, San Francisco, Juhj 20. 1S64. 

FIELD AGENTS. 

AKMU:S AROUND PETERSBURG. 

John A. Cole. 

General Field Agent, U. S. C. C. 
City Point. 

GEXEHAL Sherman's armies. 
Rev. E. P. Smith, 

General Field Agent, U. S. C. C. 
Nashville, Tenn. 

ARMIES SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 

(Gen. Sheridan's.) 
J. Pi. Miller, 

General Field Agent, IT. S. C. C. 
Winchester, Va. 

* , DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. 

Rev. t". G. Ensign, 

General Field Agent, U. S. C. C. 
Memphis, Tenn. 

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT. 

Rev. Shepherd Wells, 

General Field Agent, U. S. C. C. 
St. Louis, Mo. 



68 






CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 








LOCAL AGEXT8. 








WASHINGTOxX, 1). C. 


Eev 


J. 


J. 


Abbott. 

ALEXANDRIA,, VA. 


Kev. 


0. 


p. 


Thompson. 

FORTRESS MONROK, VA, 


Rev. 


W 


.L 


. Tisdale, 

NEW ORLEANS^ LOXI. 


Hon 


J. 


V. 


C. Smith, M. D. 

NASHVILLE;, TENN„ 


AV. A. Lawi-ence. Esq. 








KNOXVILLE, TENN. 


Arthur 


La 


vrence, Esq, 








CirATTANOOGA, ALAc 


Kev. 


n. 


M' Holmes. 



ATLANTA, GEO.. 

T. R. Ewing, Esq. 

LOUISVILLE, KY. 

J. Russell, Esq, 

VICKSBURG, MISS. 

Rev. J. H. Parmele. 

A letter of inquiry, addresed to the Agent of the place 
where a wounded friend is lying, will elicit such informa- 
tion as he can olitain through the delegates. 



CHRIST IN THK ARMY. 



Hospital Libraries, 

The Hospital Libraries are now ready to be sent out. 
Gen. Whipple, chief of staff for Gen. Thomas, called a 
few days since to see them. He ordered the thirty library 
cases, which had been made by order of Gen. Donaldson. 
Chief Quartermaster, to be turned over to the Christian 
Commission, and thirty more of similar pattern made for 
hospitals at Chattanooga and Atlanta. Through Chap- 
lain Thomas' half price arrangement with the publishers. 
and free transportation by Adams' Express, we get a 
choice library surprisingly cheap. Fifty dollars give us 
one hundred and eighty books in good variety — religious, 
historical, scientific and poetical — such a library as any 
soldier or officer, who cares to read, will be glad to have 
access to. 

On the opening of the railroad to the front, I did not 
feel justified in asking for sxich transportation, knowing 
that the necessaries of life must be sent to the troops be- 
fore luxuries. (Pickles and onions are classed luxnylcH 
in Georgia.) A few days since, I made a statement to 
Chief Quartermaster Donaldson, that we had in our store- 
room ten car-loads of stoi'es, and asked for three cars, one 
to Chattanooga, one to Huntsville, and one to Atlanta, 
as soon as the exigencies of the service would permit. 
The application came back — " Cajjtain Brown will furnish 
Christian Commission one car per day till all the within- 
mentioned stores have gone to the front." To-morrow 
one car goes to Chattanooga, next to Atlanta, next to 
Huntsville, next to Knoxville, then two or three cars to 
Atlanta, and the rest as we can get up the invoices. 



70 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



Send on those Apples. 

Now, where are those two hundred barrels of apples 
from Pittsburg? We Avant to put them into the diet- 
kitchens all along the line, and if possible, giVe to men 
at the front. 

The demand for writing-paper keej^s up. The thou- 
sand reams from Cincinnati will soon be gone. Our 
writing-tables are crowded at every station, and the let- 
ters we stamj) and mail for soldiers who cannot get stamps 
will average nearly a thousand per day. 

Those Fifty Boxes of Grapes. 
Those fifty boxes of grapes ! Nothing could have been 
more appropriate ! The ladies went through the wards, 
giving them to all the men on the cots, under the direc- 
tion of the surgeons. Pale thin hands contrasting with 
the rich purple clusters they arc holding^the thanks, 
smiles, and sometimes tears, of the soldiers, the light step 
and full hearts of the distributors, and the gratified look 
of the surgeon and ward ofiicials — they are things to be 
seen and felt, but not to be reported on paper. Every 
grape had its value and reached its spot. Blessings on 
the donors of those clusters I 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 71 



X. 

Work in General Butler's Army, 
The following letter from J. R. Miller, Field Agent, 
presents a clear view of the work clone, and the manner 
of it, both in the Field Hospital and in front of General 
Butlei-'s Army: 

Office U. S. Christian Commission, 'j 
Nineteenth Corps, Point of Rocks, Aug. 31st. j 
Rev. W. E. Boardman, Secretary: Dear Brother — 
Last week we moved our hospital from the place where 
you found it on the occasion of your last visit, and our 
base and front hospitals consolidated, are now located at 
Point of Rocks, on the Appomattox. You remember the 
spot. It is a beautiful location, and we will welcome the 
change. The locality has also a historical interest, as 
being the reputed scene of the rescue of Captain Smith 
by Pocahontas. 

The front and base hospitals have been temporarily 
consolidated, and the consolidated hospital is now under 
the direction of Dr. Storrs. ,His executive officer. Dr. 



72 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Munn, is a gentleman of polished manners and fine taste. 
i Having been a practical engineer, he has combined his 
professional skill and cultivated taste in the arrangement 
of the hospital tents and grounds, and whe» his work 
has been completed, he will have a model establishment, 
j not only for order and beautj^, but also for comfort. 
I There are now about two thousand patients in the hos- 
! pital. Our establishment here consists of our chapel 
j tent for store-room, one chapel-fly for sleeping tent, one 
I for religious services, one wall-tent for warehouse, and 
i one for office. I have only eight delegates at present, 
I though I should have at least ten. Here is my mode of 
I work in the corps and hospital. Early in the morning, 
i six or seven delegates go in a two-horse wagon to the 
j front, carrying with them a good quantity of reading 
j matter and hospital stores — for every regiment at the 
i front has a number of patients in its regimental hospital. 
i These delegates all spend the whole forenoon in one or 
two brigades, taking the troops in their order on the line. 
1 They aim to see every man as they go, and either give 
him something, or speak a kind word to him. This 
"front" work I deem verj- important, even more so than 
the hospital work,- and I have always aimed to keep it 
up as regularlj'^ as practicable. A¥e have dinner at half- 
past twelve. From noon till half-past two are resting 
hours. From half-past two till half-past five, they spend 
in the hospital. Each delegate has four or five wards. 
In this visit no services are held. The delegate passes 
through his wards, speaking a word to every man, re- 
lieving his wants, as far as possible, but making the visit 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 73 

as far as practicable a pastoral one. After tea, lie holds 
a brief religious service in each ward, and thus close the 
day's labors. The work goes on thus from day to day, 
and a more delightful success could not be expected. 
All the delegates are in the best of sj)irits, and all are 
hard workers. At night all are weary, and sleep is wel- 
come; but morning finds all refreshed, and ready and 
anxious to begin a new day's labors. At the front, on 
this part of the line, there is no picket-firing, so that wo 
can visit every part of the line safely, and see the men 
at their work. This adds greatly to our work hei-e, and 
enables us to make it complete and thorough. It is my 
aim to have every regiment visited at least once each 
week. In two days I intend to establish a station near 
the front, on the right, which will be of great utility to 
the men on the James. 

In addition to the regular hospital here, we have a 
convalescent camp, which contains several hundred men. 
This is assigned to one delegate, who spends his after- 
noons among them, and in the evening holds a religious 
service. This part of the field is especially interesting, 
and gives promise of a great religious work. We will 
have service every evening in our chapel. I think that 
perhaps in many places undue importance has been given 
to the sanitary work to the too great exclusion of the 
religious. My aim has always been to make the latter 
the grand object, the former in every instance being of 
but secondary importance, yet in all cases to receive its 
proper attention. A proper and discreet mingling of the 
two objects seems to be the grand idea on which our 



74 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Commission is founded,- and this idea is the same on 
which our Saviour labored while on earth. "He went 
about doing good," both ''healing the sick" and "cast- 
ing out devils." J. R. Miller, Field Agent. 

Porty-three Days' Delegate Service. 
Rev. F. P. Monfort, of Grcensburgh, Indiana, renders 
the following interesting report of his work in the Army 
of the Potomac: 

STATISTICS. 

Number of days occupied, . . . .43 

" meetings conducted, . . . .31 

" " participated in, . .5 

" sermons preached, . . .23 

soldiers personally conversed with about 

their spiritual interests, . . 900 

" benefited by gifts of Hospital stores, or 

personal ministrations, . . 1,848 

letters written for soldiers, . . 43 

Distributed 322 Testaments, 72 Hymn and Psalm Books, 
1,361 Soldiers' Books, Tracts about 4,000 pages, Pa- 
pers 2,725, Pamphlets 43. 

Government Stores Give Out. 

A messenger, directly from the front, brings mcjst gra- 
tifying intelligence of the admirable working of the plan 
adopted by the United States Christian Commission to 
relieve and save our brave men, fighting and falling for 
us in our great battles. 

The Government made large provisions, but the pro- 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 75 

tractcd struggle and change of the line of supplies at last I 

I exhausted the stores for the wounded. 1 

The Christian Commission had a large wagon with | 

each corps, and one extra as a reserve. When the Go- j 

vernment supplies began to fail, then the stores of the | 

I Commission came into requisition. In the Wilderness 

all the tents and ''flies" of the Commission were brought I 
I into use to shelter the wounded. The same at Chancel- i 
I lorsville, when they were removed there, and all day Sun- 
1 day, while on the way to Fredericksburg, the delegates 
1 of the Commission were chief feeders of the wounded 
! heroes. The food, stimulants, refreshing drinks, and care 
thus given saved many lives during their removal. At 
i Fredericksburg, also, the most timely aid was given to 
j the surgeons. All the remaining supplies left from the 
j field were apportioned among the thousands of wounded 
in Fredericksburg, to keep them alive until Government 
supplies should come. 

The teams came on to Belle Plain to renew stock and 
return immediately. Three of them are to be with the 
front, and two at Fredericksburg, to keep up supplies. 
The only regret is that the force of teams, stores and men 
could not have been doubled or quadrupled for so great au 
emergency. The General Field Agent, John A. Cole, Esq., 
calls for men, stores and teams. The Commission Avill 
respond. — Sunday School Times. 



76 CHRIST IN THE ARMY, 

A City of Wounded.— Washington's Home a Hospital. 
Fredericksburg, Va., May 18, 1864. 

This city is Aceldama, and a fitting receptacle for the 
bruised and suifering heroes that fill churches, tobacco- 
houses, private dwellings, and stores to overflowing. 

Nearly every house is battered, and torn, and wrecked 
by the rain storm of fire that for twelve hours was poured 
upon it bj' Burnside. The churches, especially, have 
suffered fearfully. But what are the scars, and wounds, 
and bruises of inanijnate dwellings, to those houses of 
the soul, which, quivering, palpitating, agonizing, lay in 
rows, in basement, in attic, in church, in store, patiently 
waiting, many of them, for the Great Physician, whose 
cures are only performed in the other land. It is esti- 
mated that to-day there are 7,000 wounded in this city. 
Nearly as fast as they are carried to Belle Plain, their 
places are filled by those from the front. No one can con- 
ceive of the torture which our boys experience as they 
ride or walk the terrible road from below some ten miles 
to this place. "The 'rack,'" a soldier says, "I've read 
of in the history of the Martyrs, but never knew what it 
meant till now." But it is most wonderful, the heroic 
fortitude, the sublimity of heroism which is manifested 
by these brave soldiers. It makes one proud of his man- 
hood, proud of his country, when he sees the self-sacrifice, 
the beauty of patience as herein developed. Soldiers, se- 
verely wounded in the arm, aiding their lame comrades, 
refusing ofttimes to be served with some delicacy till their 
comrades are also relieved. Most gratefully do they re- 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY 



ceive even a cup of cold water, and so thankfully acknow- 
ledge the simplest act of kindness. 

Many of the officers are kindly eared for at private 
houses. Rev. Samuel Fisk ("Dunn Browne") havS the 
best attention from a secesh citizen, but a truly Christian 
Samaritan. He has a fearful wound through the right 
shoulder blade, the ball still lying in the region of the 
lungs. 

Major Parker, from Worcester, of the 10th Massachu- 
setts, a brave and heroic soul, suffers great pain from a 
shattered arm. Hopes are entertained of its being saved. 
He, too, is in a private house. The tons of ice stored 
here by the disloyal inhabitants, are now a most grateful 
luxury, and liberally used. 

Language cannot tell the good the Christian and Sani- 
tary Commissions are doing. The delegates of the for- 
mer are organized into bands, and their daily duties are 
to visit their respective hospitals, assist in washing and 
dressing wounds, feeding the inmates, speaking words of 
cheer and hope, conducting short religious exercises, 
which latter is a great comfort to the many sufferers. 
There is a station at Belle Plain, where those who come in 
from Fredericksburg are met and cared for. This place, 
now famous, when we first looked upon it, was simply a 
series of low hills, covered with stunted oaks and brush, 
without a single house in sight. Now it presents a busy 
scene of activity. The hills are covered with tents, roads 
extemporized in every direction, and filled with supply 
wagons, ambulances, and army stores, as far as the eye 
can reach. 



78 CHRIST m THE ARMY. 

George H. Stuart, Esq., our efficient President, and 
Bishop Mcllvaine are among the arrivals to-day. "VVe 
feel grateful to governmental officers who favor us in every 
way, and who facilitate our operations. Many a noble 
Christian surgeon and devoted officer do we find to give 
us the right hand of fellowship. Among those who. gave 
us a cordial welcome was Edward P. Walling, hospital 
steward of the steamer "Connecticut," who wanted some 
of us to aid in ministering spiritually to the six hundred 
wounded that were to return on that boat. 

The old mansion once occupied by Mary, the mother 
of Washington, with its antique furniture, frescoed walls, 
and quaint paintings, is now used as a hospital, and the 
room once occupied by the "Father of his Country," now 
witnesses scenes of wo and agony, the result of the na- 
tion's curse — slavery. 

The army at the front is hopeful, cheerful. No bra- 
vado, no boasting, but a steady, firm determination, and 
a resolve that we must conquer. Further fearful, despe- 
rate conflict is anticipated, and may be upon us at any 
moment. — Congregationalist. S. E. B. 

Northampton. 

Work by Night. 
To the Editor of the Evening Telegraph : 

Philadelphia, May 24:th, 1864. 

Sir: — Having just returned from a week's visit to the 

wounded in the late battles in Virginia, in company with 

Bishop Mcllvaine, of Ohio, it gives me great pleasure to 

assure the friends of those noble heroes throughout the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 79 

country that our Government is doing every thing in its 
power to relieve suffering, and more than any Government 
ever did before, and that we found the work of the Chris- 
tian Commission thoroughly organized, with an eflBcient 
corps of over two hundred and fifty (250) volunteer dele- 
gates, laboring incessantly for the temporal and spiritual 
comfort of our soldiers. 

As the result of one day's labor at the head-quarters of 
the Commission in Fredericksburg, we brought up with 
us nearly three thousand letters, written for disabled sol- 
diers by the delegates of the Commission. 

The great difficulty is the transportation of supplies. 
Encouraged by the generous contributions of the people 
to the treasury, we have made arrangements to remedy 
this by purchasing and sending forward two additional 
wagons, with eight horses. We also chartered two 
schooners and a tug-boat. 

To make the work of the Commission more efficient on 
the field, we arranged for a set of delegates to work by 
day and another by night, so that there will be Christian 
men always ready to minister to the sick and wounded, 
and to stand by the bedside of the dying. The delegates 
of the Commission have accomplished a wonderful work, 
saving hundreds of lives, and relieving untold suff"ering, 
They are still at their posts. It remains for the Chris- 
tian philanthropic people of the land to keep them sup- 
plied with the means of carrying on and increasing their 
labor of love. 

George H. Stuart, 
Chairman of the United States Christian Commission. 



80 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

No Beds for the Wounded. 

Go into the hospitals j armless, legless men, wounds of 
every description. Men on the hard floor, on the bare 
seats of church pews, lying in one position all day, unable 
to stir till the nurse, going the rounds, comes to their aid. 
They must wait till their food comes. Some must be fed 
with a spoon, as if they were little children. 

"0, that we could get some straw for the brave fel- 
lows," said Rev. Mr. Kimball, of the Christian Commis- 
sion. He had wandered about town, searching for the 
article. "There is none to be had. We shall have to 
send to Washington for it." 

" Straw! I remember two stacks, four miles out on the 
Spottsylvania road. I saw them last night, as I galloped 
from the front." 

Armed with a requisition from the Provost Marshal to 
seize two stacks of straw, with two wagons, driven by in- 
telligent contrabands, and four Christian Commission de- 
legates, away we went across the battle-field of Decem- 
ber, fording Hazel Run, gained the heights and reached 
the straw stacks, owned by Rev. Mr. Owen. 

"By what authority do you take my property ?" 

"The Provost Marshal, sir." 

Rev. Mr. Kimball was on the stack, pitching it down, 
I was pitching it in, and the young men were stowing it 
away. 

"Are you going to pay me for it?" 

"You must see the Provost Marshal, sir. If you are a 
loyal man, and will take the oath of allegiance, doubtless 
you will get your pay." 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 81 

"It is pretty hard. My children are just ready to 
starve. I have nothing for them to eat, and you come to 
take my property, without paying for it." 

"Yes, sir, war is hard. You must i-emember, sir, that 
there are thousands of wounded men — your wounded, as 
well as ours. If your children are on the point of 
starving, those men are on the i^oint of dying. We must 
have the straw for them. What we don't take to-night, 
we will get in the morning. Mean while, sir, if any body 
attempts to take it, please to say to them that it is for 
the hospital, and they can't have it." 

Thus, with wagons stuffed, we leave Eev, Mr, Owens, 
and return to make glad the hearts of several thousand 
men. 0, how they thank us ! 

"Did you get it for me? God bless you, sir." 

Evening Prayers, 

It is evening. Thousands of soldiers, just arrived from 
Washington, have passed through the town to take their 
places in the front. The hills all around us are white 
with innumerable tents and thousands of wagons. 

A band is playing lively airs to cheer the wounded in 
the hospitals. I have been looking in to see the suffer- 
ers. Two or three have gone. They will need no more 
attention. A surgeon is at work upon a ghastly wound, 
taking up the arteries. An attendant is pouring cold 
water upon a swollen limb. In the Episcopal church, a 
nurse is bolstering up a wounded ofiBcer in the area be- 
hind the altar. Men are lying in the pews, on the seats, 
on the floor, on boards on top of the pews. 



82 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Two candles in the spacious building throw their feeble 
rays into the dark recesses, faintly disclosing the recum- 
bent forms. There is heavy, stifled breathing, as of con- 
stant effort to suppress involuntary cries extorted by 
acutest pain. Hard it is to see them suffer, and not be 
able to relieve them. 

Passing into the street, j'^ou see a group of women, 
talking about our wounded — rebel wounded, who are re- 
ceiving their especial attention. The Provost Marshal's 
patrol is going its rounds to preserve order. 

Starting down the street, you reach the rooms of the 
Christian Commission. Some of the men are writing, 
some eating their rations, some dispensing supplies. 
Passing through the rooms, you gain the grounds in the 
rear — a beautiful garden once — not inattractive now. 
The air is redolent with honeysuckle and locust blossoms. 
The pennifolia is unfolding its delicate milk-white petals; 
roses are opening their tinted leaves. 

Fifty men are gathered round a summer-house — warm- 
hearted men — who have been all day in the hospital. 
Their hearts have been wrung by the scenes of suffering, 
in the exercise of Christian charity imitating the example 
of the Kedeemer of men. They have given bread for the 
body and food for the soul. They have given cups of 
cold water in the name of Jesus, and prayed with those 
departing to the silent land. The moonlight shimmers 
through the leaves of the locust. 

The little congregation breaks into singing — 
" Come, thou fount of every blessing." 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 83 

After the hymn, a chaplain says: "Brethren, I had 
service, this afternoon, in the first division hospital of 
the scond corps. The surgeon in charge, before prayer, 
asked all who desired to be prayed for, to raise their 
hands, and nearly every man who had a hand, raised it. 
Let us remember them in our prayers to-night." 

A man in the summer-house — so far off, that I cannot 
distinguish him in the shadow — says : " There is mani- 
festly a spirit of prayer among the soldiers in the second 
division of the sixth corps hospital. Every man there 
raised his hand for prayers I" 

Similar remarks are made by others, and then there 
are earnest prayers offered that God will bless them, re- 
lieve their sufferings, give them patience, restore them 
to health; that he will remember the widow and father- 
less far away — that Jesus may be their friend. 

Ah! this night scene! There was an allusion, by one 
who prayed, to the garden scene of Gethsemane, the 
blood of the son of God, and in connection to the blood 
shed for our country. You who are far away, can under- 
stand but little of the reality of these scenes. Friends, 
every where, you have given again and again, but con- 
tinue to give; you cannot repay these brave defenders of 
our country. Give as God has prospered you, and great 
shall be your reward. Faint, feeble, tame, lifeless is this 
attempt to portray the scenes of a day at Fredericksburg. 
Picture it as you may, and you will fall short of the 
reality. — Conyregationalist. 



84 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



XI. 



The sick and wounded suffer greatly from the imper- 
fect cookery of the soldier nurses. To remedy this evil, 
a number of ladies have offered themselves as delegates 
of the Christian Commission, and arrangements have 
been made with the medical authorities to establish Diet 
Kitchens, where suitable food may be prejiared by ladies' 
hands for our sick soldiers, — the Government furnishing 
the staple articles, and the Christian Commission pro- 
viding the ladies and the delicacies and cordials. One of 
these at Knoxville is thus described by a correspondent 
of The Lutheran: — 

"There have been several large hospitals in this city, 
but recently they have been all consolidated into one. 
In connection with this hospital is a * Special Diet Kit- 
chen.' Many of our readers will doubtless wonder what 
these 'Special Diet Kitchens' are. They have been ori- 
ginated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, of Keokuk, State 
Sanitary Agent of Iowa. In her arduous labors in the 
army of the Cumberland, she met with a large number of 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 8.^ 

patients who suffei' for want of suitably prepared, deli- 
cate and nutritious food. None of the benevolent insti- 
tutions in connection with the army have been able to 
reach this class of persons. She says, in her report to 
the General Assembly of the State: 'This matter has 
given me serious and anxious thought for the past year, 
but I have recently submitted to the Christian Commis- 
sion a plan by which I believe this class of patients may 
be reached and relieved. The plan proposed, is the esta- 
blishment of 'Special Diet Kitchens,' in connection with 
that Commission, to be superintended bj'^ earnest, pruden t 
Christian women, who will secure the distribution of pro- 
per food to this class of patients — taking such delicate 
articles of food as our good people supply to the very bed- 
sides of the poor languishing soldiers, and administering, 
with words of encouragement and sympathy, to their 
pressing wants; such persons to co-operate with the sur- 
geons in all their efforts for the sick.' This plan of ope- 
ration has bscn sanctioned and adopted by the United 
States Christian Commission. There is one in successful 
operation at Nashville, under the direction, I believe, of 
a daughter of the Hon. J. K. Morehead, of Pittsburgh. 
The one here is under the direction of Mrs. R. E. Conrad, 
of Keokuk, Iowa, and her two sisters. Here is an in- 
stance of unexampled patriotism. This mother gave to 
our country's cause, her two only sons who have died 
either amid the smoke and din of the fierce-raging battle, 
or in the crowded hospital. When the call came for 
Christian women, she generously gave her remaining 
children, three noble daughters, to the same glorious 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



cause. Where is the instance in history of a widowed 
mother sending all her children, both sons and daughters, 
to serve her country in the hour of great danger and deep 
distress? Where the country that has produced such no- 
ble women as that of our own ? It is true, England has 
her Florence Nightingale, but America has her hundreds 
of women, who sacrifice the peace and quiet of sweet 
homes and loved associations, to endure trials and hard- 
ships amid the desolating track of wasting armies. They 
are doing a great and good work now in Knoxville. 
From three to five hundred patients are thus daily sup- 
plied with delicate food, who would otherwise have scarce- 
ly any thing to cat. The success of their labors has 
demonstrated beyond a doubt the practicability of the 
plan of Mrs. Wittenmyer. The good resulting from 
their arduous labors proves that much can be done by 
these special efi"orts to rescue those who are laid upon 
languishing beds of sickness and pain, and have passed 
almost beyond the reach of ordinary means. The great 
need we have in connection with these 'Diet Kitchens,' 
is the want of canned fruits, jellies, preserves, etc. If 
our good people, who have already done so much, will 
provide these necessary means, they will be distributed to 
the most needy, and in such a way as to accomplish the 
most good. All praise to the noble women in connec- 
tion with our armies! May God abundantly bless their 
labors to the salvation of many precious souls." 

The War Department is so well satisfied with the value 
of these Diet Kitchens, in saving the lives of thousands 



CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 87 

of invalids, that it has issued the following Special 
Order : — 

SPECIAL ORDERS No. 362. 

War Department, Abjt. Gen. Office, ) 
Washington, D. C, Oct. 24, 1864. j 

[extract.] 
«- * * x- 56. Permission to visit the United States 
Greneral Hospitals, within the lines of the several Military 
Departments of the United States, for the purpose of su- 
perintending the preparation of food in the Special Diet 
Kitchens of the same, is hereby granted Mrs. Annie Wit- 
tenmyer. Special Agent United States Christian Com- 
mission, and such ladies as she may deem proper to em- 
ploy, by request of United States surgeons. The Quar- 
termaster's Department will furnish the necessary trans- 
portation. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

(Official.) E. D. Townsend, 

Assistant Adjutant General, 

Consolidated light diet List of United States Army Gene- 
ral Hospital No. 2, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Sep- 
tember, 1864. 

RATIONS. 

Mackerel, ---_.. Total, 1,413 
Soup, mutton or beef, ----- 15,096 

" vegetable, ------ 6,772 

" oyster, - - - /- - - - 6,716 

'• chicken, ------ 1,420 



»» CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Fresh vegetables, ------ 2,060 

Roast potatoes, ------ 22,748 

Bread and butter, - - - - ^ - 29,635 

Toast, milk, ------ 6,145 

" butter, ------- 2,191 

" dry, ------- 12,785 

Jellies, or preserves, ----- 

Eggs, boiled or poached, - - _ - 134 

" fried or scrambled, . - - - 

Krout or pickles, ------ 11,890 

Fruits, canned, ------ 10,283 

" fresh or dried, ----- 15,477 

Baked apples, ------- 12,414 

Tomatoes, ------- 7,300 

Pudding, farinaceous, ----- 9,567 

Blanc mange, ------ 

Gruel, -------- 3,226 

Custard, boiled, ------ 

Tapioca, ------- 1,562 

Rice, boiled, ------ 5,302 

Barley, -------- 2,863 

Mush and milk ------ 2,193 

Cheese, -------- 1,768 

Tea, -------- 30,221 

Corn bread, ------- 596 

Coffee, ------- 8,719 

Milk punch, ------- 4,929 

236,408 



CHRIST IN THE AUMY. 



XII. 

The Trains of Wounded. 
A long train of army wagons, filled witti wounded from 
the front, came into Martinsburg about lOV o'clock, 
P.M., on Wednesday, 8th October. The men had been 
put in at 6 A. M., and had been jolting along the rough 
road all day. They were hungry and thirsty and sore. 
"They kept pounding, pounding, pounding vis all day," 
said one poor fellow, with a broken leg. The town was 
silent; every person out after taps, being halted by the 
pickets. "Won't nobody give me a drink of water?" 
could be heard from many a wagon. Just at that mo- 
ment, Mr. G. S. Griffiths, of Baltimore, and Dr. Patterson, 
of Chicago, arrived with a strong force of the delegates 
of the Christian Commission. A barrel of soda biscuits 
was opened, bottles of jelly and tins of chicken-soup were 
speedily discussed. Help was given to bring the poor 
fellows into the churches, which were soon filled — base- 
ment, audience-chamber, pulpit and gallery — with wound- 
ed heroes, some of whom were so overcome by loss of 
blood and fatigue, that they fell asleep before their 
wounds were dressed. One man, seeing Brother McCord 



8« 



90 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

passing with a basin, said: "I have two dollars here; it 
is all I have. I will give it to you, if you will dress my 
wound." It was 3 A. M. before they were all fed and 
cleansed; at that hour, the faithful surgeons and army 
nurses were still at their posts; and when we returned, 
early in the morning, they were busy getting breakfast, 
and preparing their patients for the march. 

It was near 11 o'clock before they could all be served 
with breakfast, and some would have had none, owing to 
the overworked state of the nurses, had I not got a cheese 
and, with Brother Whittier and our negro boy George, 
gone round them with bread and cheese. You never saw 
children more eager for honey. 'Chaplain, this way; 
I hain't had cheese for a year.' "Capting, that 'ere 
mite of cheese did me a power of good — more'n all the 
medicine I've had for six weeks; you couldn't spare ano- 
ther bite?' Then we went round with paper and enve- 
lopes, which were in great demand. We had not Testa- 
ments and Hymn-books for half those who asked them. 

"'What is all this for?' said one poor wounded lad, as 
he accepted one small favor after another. ' Is all this 
for the Union?' We explained that it was for Christ's 
sake and the country's. 'Who wouldn't fight for his 
country?' said an armless boy, to whom Brother Swobe 
gave some bread and honey. 'Just look at that, boys.' 
Said an cldei-ly man; 'I have received more kindness 
from you men since I came into this house, than I have 
got since I came into the army.' 'Well,' said an Irish- 
man, standing by, 'that's just the way them Christian 
men went on with us all the way on the boats up the 
Red River expedition.' When about to leave, I ad- 



CHRIST m THE ARMY. 91 

dressed those in the Presbyterian church, and jiroposed 
prayer; every head was uncovered, and many a hearty 
benediction on the Commission was invoked by these 
wounded heroes. 

The Christian Commission was at the front with its 
horses, wagons, stores and delegates, during the late 
battle,- and promptly despatched large quantities addi- 
tional, upon the receipt of the first dispatches announcing 
the late glorious victory. As we write, additional dele- 
gates and stores are being despatched to the Shenandoah. 
The men who won that glorious victory at the cost of 
their blood, surely deserve every succor we can send 
them. Trains of 1200, of 700, of 400 have arrived in 
Martinsburg and Winchester, and they will continue to 
be cared for by the personal, dii-ect ministrations of our 
delegates. 

Four Christian Commission tea-pots, each holding a 
bushel, are promptly set to prepare the cup which cheers, 
but not inebriates, on the approach of each train; and on 
the recommendation of the sui-geons, pails of punch are 
prepared and distributed to the fainting and exhausted. 
"Have you any wounded in this wagon, driver?" ''Yes, 
two; one is a Reb, and one of ours." "Well, give each 
of them a cup of that punch." "What! give punch to 
Rebs?" "Why not? If the man is fainting, it won't 
hurt him." "That is new doctrine," said an officer, 
standing by. "That is the Christian Commission doc- 
trine. If thine enemy hunger, feed him. If he thirst, 
give him drink." "Well," said he, after a moment's re- 
flection, "I go in for that Commission." 

D)\ Patterson. 



92 CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 

Work Done Under the Eebel Guns. 

The following record of a da^^'s labor at the front, in 
the service of the Christian Commission, shows promi- 
nently one of the most distinguishing and blessed fea- 
tures of the Commission's work. Its place, right here, 
has never been supplied by any other agency. Were it 
not for the prompt relief given by these noble Christian 
delegates, who fly to the scene of a fresh battle with the 
eager haste of a father seeking the physician for his sick 
child, hundreds upon hundreds of precious lives would 
be lost to the country, to the church, and to the world. 

The writer, Walter S. Carter, Esq., is the member 
of the Christian Commission for Wisconsin, also State 
vSunday-school Secretary, for Wisconsin, and is well 
known as one of the energetic Sunday-school spirits of 
the West. We think that the Christian Commission has 
done well to select its many workers from the ranks of 
the Sunday-school, and to choose its leaders from among 
the generals of the Sabbath-school army: 

"Thursday, Sept. 29th, 1804, the day after our arrival, 
we spent laboring in the general hospital of the Army of 
the Potomac, near City Point. During the day, heavy 
firing north of the James, in the direction of Richmond, 
told us that a battle was in progress. Early next morn- 
ing, in company with Rev. Drs. SchafT, of New York, 
and Charpiot, of Connecticut, we went to City Point, and 
procuring passes from Gen. Patrick, Provost Marshal 
General of the armies operating against Richmond, took 
a steamer for Broadway Landing, on the Appomattox. 
Proceeding thence toward the general hospital of the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 93 

army of the James, at Point of Rocks, about a mile dis- 
tant, we met several of the guns taken from the enemy 
the day before, being sent to City Point. Arriving at 
the hospital, we found that several hundred of our 
wounded had already reached there. We at once went 
to work alleviating their sufferings as far as possible, 
pointing them, as we had opportunity, to the Saviour 
who suffered for them, until about three o'clock in the 
afternoon, when, with a considerable reinforcement to our 
numbers, on the top of a large four-horse wagon of the Com- 
mission, loaded full of supplies, we started for the front. 
Emerging from the woods into an open field near the 
James, the rapid discharge of artillery, intermingled 
with the continuous crash of musketry, apprised us of a 
renewal of the contest, by the rebels attempting to retake 
the works captured by us the day before. We hurried 
on, arriving at Aiken's Landing about five, crossing the 
river on the muffled pontoon thrown aci'oss by the 18th 
corps on Wednesday evening. Pushing on up the Varina 
road, we soon came across the skirmish line held by the 
enemy at the time of the advance of our forces, and a 
little further on, another and stronger line, not yet com- 
pleted. Entering a thick pine wood, night and rain 
overtook us. Ahead of us was a long train of army 
wagons, behind us a large number of ambulances. By 
us, every moment, dashed horsemen — some toward the 
front, others toward the rear. In the woods, on either 
hand, our men were kindling fires to dry their clothes 
and make their coffee. Still, along we went, until, turn- 
ing to the right, we entered the ample grounds of the 



94 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Cox mansion, where we found the flying hospital already 
established. The yard was full of tents, filled with 
wounded men— officers of all grades, and privates, loyal 
and rebel, white and black soldiers. Hundreds had al- 
ready arrived, and more were constantly coming. From 
every quarter, moans of agony and cries of helij could be 
heard, but none there were to answer them. Every sol- 
dier who had gone through the two days' terrible con- 
flict unharmed, was standing, that dai-k, rainy, autumn 
night, without food or drink, with his face to the foe, in 
the trenches a mile in advance of us. The surgeons had 
prepared their operating tables, and were already at their 
awful work. 

Getting jiermission of Dr. Eichardson, surgeon in 
charge of the hosj)ita], w© immediately pitched our tent 
and went to work. An adjoining house was sought, a 
fire built, a large kettle of water put over, and very soon 
several gallons of coffee were made. Condensed milk and 
sugar were then added, pails filled, and provided with tin 
cups, our seven delegates went forth on the most blessed 
errand that ever engaged a Christian hand, or enlisted 
the sympathies of a Christian heart. Into every tent 
they went, until there was not a wounded man but had 
been abundantly supplied. Then going back to the Com- 
mission tent, boxes were filled with fresh, soft crackers, 
and again the circuit, of the tents was made, and the men 
helped to all they would have. Then more coffee was 
carried around, and after that, in cases where it was 
thought necessary, Jamaica ginger or brandy were given 
to the men. Then another visit to the tent was made, a 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 95 

supply of shirts and drawers obtained, and these were 
put upon such as needed them. "God bless you/' "God 
bless the Christian Commission," wei'c exclamations we 
heard almost every moment. 

"We never expected such treatment as this," said a 
wounded rebel to a delegate. " Give me your name, so 
that when the war is over, I can come and see you, and 
thank you better than I can now," said another. With 
such opportunities, how could we help telling one, whose 
wounds were eloquent of the story of his bravery, that 
while it was a noble thing to be a brave soldier of one's 
country, far nobler, indeed, was it, to be also a brave 
soldier of Jesus. To one groaning with suffering, how 
fitting that we should remind him of what the Redeemer 
had suffered for him. To one asking for drink, how easy 
to introduce the subject of salvation, b}^ the exclamation 
of the Saviour on the cross, "I thirst." Engaged in such 
a work, the hours went by unnoticed — seven, eight, nine, 
ten, eleven, twelve, and one, were gone before we even 
tried to sleep. Going into the house, we wrapped our 
blankets around us, and lay down on the floor j but 
scarcely had we done so, when word came that twenty 
more ambulance loads of wounded had arrived. Up we 
arose at once, and again coffee, crackers, etc., were dis- 
tributed to the sufferers. Making a second attempt to 
get a little rest, we were hardly asleep when Surgeon 
Richardson came and informed us that we were so near 
the lines, that in the event of the enemy's renewing the 
attack at day-light, as was expected, their shells would 
reach our camp. Immediately our tent was struck, the 
supplies again loaded into the wagon, and by the time 



96 



CHRIST IX THE ARMY. 



the army train Avas ready to move, we were prepared 
to take our place in line. Proceeding up the road, to 
the rear of the Tenth Corps, we halted two or three hours, 
when we returned to a large house, some distance to the 
rear, formerly the headquarters of Gen. Lee, where the 
hospital was established, and whence the wounded were 
conveyed to the Base Hospital, at Point of Rocks." 

*S'. School Times. 

In the Trenches. 
Every day, after I Avent to the front, I found as much 
as six smarter men than I could accomplish, and although 
it was a time of comparative quiet, and, hence, did not 
present those cases of deep pathetic power which are met 
only in the great battles or in isolated instances, yet the 
work grew in interest and importance. I could but ask 
myself, every day, if enough had been done in the trenches. 
It seems to me more is needed. There are naked men, 
their shirts having been torn off by accident; thei-e are 
galled feet, there are blisters. Thread and buttons need- 
ed, and all the little comforts of camp life, which the post- 
poned pay-days have not permitted the soldiers to buy; 
and, above all, a thirst for the word of life, which Chap- 
lains cannot supply unless they arc sleepless and omni- 
present. I usually distributed my reading matter in re- 
giments without Chaplains, with the aid of pious soldiers, 
always choosing privates if I could get them, thus helping 
them to an agreeable change of occupation. My words 
were few in giving out these things. I found the men 
more ready to converse half an hour afterwards, and I 
generally returned soon on my path and sat down on the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 97 

bunks with them, talked with them just ns I should be 
talked with, and was never once bluffed off by indirect 
answers. I was received unkindly three or four times, 
not more than that. These tent conversations were close 
personal applications of some truth, generally of the 
Christian inward life, as I thought I had better success 
in imj)ressing duties from that direction. I went also 
with cordials and medicines for incipient cases of diar- 
rhoea, going as often as I could to fatigue parties on the 
v/orks; then they would always gather round me, and I'd 
gather up a few moments to speak of the waters of life, or 
cry to the thirsty, (Isa. 55: 1,) showing them in very few 
words how unreasonable to be without I'eligion; as I could 
'd with such ready illustrations as their eager thirst al- 
ays gave me; and sometimes the men would be ordered 
lo sit down, and ten or fifteen minutes given me, in which 
to address them. Many such a party I have seen bathed 
in tears, none trying to conceal their feelings. 

[ have described the work I tried to do, thus, at length, 
:nr it seems to me more delegates should be all the time 
!')ing it. I know there is danger in it. I've heard the 
-'.ng of too many sharpshooters' bullets not to know it. 
l!ut there is the work, and he is not a true Christian 
Delegate who won't do it, if permitted. I've never seen 
one flinch yet. 

I hope I shall be excused for this length, but I want 
the work in the front increased. 

llespectfuUy, 

C. S. Nichols. 



98 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

The Cooking "Wagon. 
" As Boon then as they were come to land, they saw a lire of 
coals, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto theui, 
Come and dine." John 21 : 9-12. 

I must refer, particular]}', to one prominent feature of 
their work for weary, wounded bodies on this day, which, 
for its novelty and usefulness, deserves especial attention. 
Some of the newspapers have mentioned a new cooking- 
wago"n, presented by the inventor, Mr. Dunton of Phila. 
to the Christian Commission, which is thoroughly sui ge- 
neris. It is constructed somewhat like a battery caisson, 
so that the parts can be unlimbered and separated from 
each other. The ''limber," or forward jDart, bears a large 
chest, which is divided into compartments, to contain 
coffee, tea, sugar and corn-starch, with a place also for 
two gridirons and an axe. From the rear portion rise 
three tall smoke-pipes, above three large boilers, under 
which there is a place for the fire, and under the fire a box 
for the fuel. Each boiler will hold fourteen gallons; and 
it is estimated that in each one, on the march, ten gallons 
of tea, or coffee, or chocolate, could be made in twenty 
minutes — thus giving ninety gallons of nourishing drink 
every hOur. It is truly a most ingenious and beneficent 
invention. 

There was a call for coffee. A party of delegates at 
once volunteered to respond to the call. The fires were 
lighted, the water boiled, the coffee made, and soon the 
vehicle, drawn by two powerful horses, and attended by 
half a score of willing laborers, was on its way, from di- 
vision to division. Up the hospital avenue it rumbled 
and rolled, passed the long rows of white tents, stopping 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 99 

at this cluster and that, giving to all from its generous 
supply. 

You should have seen the wondering look of the men 
as it passed by. They rolled themselves over to get a 
glimpse of it. They stretched their necks for a sight at 
it. The wounded heads forgot to ache, and the wounded 
limbs almost forgot to cry out for nursing in that moment 
of eager curiosity. Was it a new sort of ambulance? It 
didn't look like one. What did those three black pipes 
mean, and those three glowing fires ? Is it a steam fire- 
engine, and are they going to give us a shower-bath? 
But the savory odor that saluted their nostrils, and the 
delicious beverage the engine poured into their tin cups, 
soon put the matter beyond all doubt. They soon found 
that there was no necromancy about it, for it had a sub- 
stantial blessing for each one of them, and they gave it 
their blessings in return. One by one such as were able, 
crowded about it with curious faces, and the wagon, as it 
stood steaming and glowing in the midst, was the theme 
of many aifectionate comments. 

" I say. Bill, ain't that a bully machine ?" 

"Yes, sir ; it's the greatest institution I ever saw." 

" That's what you call the Christian Light Artillery," 
says a third. 

"Good deal pleasanter ammunition in it than the rebs 
sent us this morning." 

"Well, doctor," said a delegate to a surgeon, "what do 
you think of this ?" 

"I thank the Lord for it: that's all I can say," was 
the reply. 



100 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

And SO, on a sudden, the new invention was crowned 
with the praises and benedictions of the admiring crowd. 
It was a marked feature in the work of the day, and must 
be set down as one of the '"'peculiar institutions" of the 
Commission. 

CofPee and Bullets for a Division, 
. Mr, J. A. Cole has put the Cooking Wagon to a new • 
use, refreshing our battle-worn veterans on the field. He 
says : 

" The coffee-wagon was kept at work, and was really a 
means of giving a great deal of comfort. It was taken 
to the lines, where bullets flew about it, and every soldier 
in the division that made the charge, capturing the fort 
on Chapiu's farm, had a good drink of hot coffee — what 
they had not had for three wet muddy days. The ma- 
chine is getting to be very popular. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 101 



XIII. 



The following extracts from published documents, news- 
paper correspondents, and letters from gentlemen of well- 
known standing, who have had opportunities for personal 
observation of the practical working of the Commission, 
will enable the reader to form some faint idea of the hor- 
rors of war, and of the blessed influence of the gospel in 
relieving them : 

The Battle-field. 
The character of the battle-field, during the first twelve 
days of Grant's advance, and its effect upon the condition 
of our soldiers, are thus described by the Rev. A. M. 
Stewart, Chaplain of the 102d Pennsylvania regiment: — 
"Small streams, swamps, low ranges of hills, thick woods 
with dense underbrush, and they on the defensive. Inva- 
riably do they await the attack. Our brave soldiers have 
to advance against them by wading through creeks and 
swamps, — tearing through thick bushes and dense under- 
growth, in which many of them have their clothes almost 



9«- 



102 CHRIST IN THE AKMY. 

torn from off them ; often not discovering the enemy until 
their deadly fire, a few rods distant, reveals their presence 
and strong position. The fighting of the past ten days 
much more resembles the old backwoods' contests with the 
Indians, than modern or what may be termedcivilized war- 
fare. Often, on account of thick woods, our fighting soldiers 
are not able to see a dozen of their comrades, or scarcely 
obtain a glimpse of the enemy, who, at the same time, is 
discharging such deadly volleys. Many, many a brave 
soldier has been left unburied to decay in these jungles, 
with no living person to tell where he lies. 

To fight and maintain discipline under such conditions, 
requires the most exalted courage and devotion. This 
army of the Potomac has started for Richmond, and seems 
determined to go there, no matter how many enemies and 
other obstacles may stand in the way. All opposition 
must finally yield to obstinate and persevering valor." 

The G-overnment Provision for the Wounded. 

The Government provision for the wounded is the most 
ample ever made, and under ordinary conditions of war- 
fare would be sufficient. But over such a country, and 
for battles lasting for weeks, waged with such determined 
obstinacy, and leaving whole armies of slain, no Govern- 
ment can provide. Each regiment is provided with a 
surgeon, two assistant surgeons, a hospital steward, and 
soldiers detailed to serve as nurses, according to the 
emergency, and the possibility of meeting it. A brigade 
consists, generally, of four regiments. A division of two 
or more brigades, Avith a proportion of cavalry and artil- 



CHR[ST IN THE ARMY. 103 

lery. The chief medical officer is the medical direetor of 
the division. He selects three of the best surgeons of the 
division as operating surgeons, and to each of these, 
three assistant operating surgeons, a commissary, and 
hospital steward, — who, when a battle begins, fall out of 
the line of march, select a farm-house, church, school- 
house or barn, or even a grove or tree, if no better 
shelter can be had, out of the line of fire, and there estab- 
lish the field-hospital. Their wagon-load of stores is 
brought up, and they await the return of the ambulances 
with the wounded. The other surgeons march on with 
the men, carrying their pocket cases of instruments, 
ready to give such aid a? they can, amidst the roar of 
battle, to the brave men who are falling fast beside them. 
Thirty ambulances, each furnished with two spring cots, 
a driver and two nurses, begin to remove the wounded, as 
soon as possible, from the thickets, swamps, and rifle- 
pits, whex'e they have fallen. Where hundreds, and even 
thousands, have been wounded in a single division, their 
removal from four to fourteen miles must occupy several 
days. During all this time many of our poor fellows lie 
faint, with loss of blood and hunger, bux'ning with thirst 
from the fever of their wounds and the sulphurous smoke. 
Men have oflFered in vain a hundred dollars for a drink of 
water, while lying burning under a Virginia sun. Many 
whose wounds are not mortal, perish from neglect. Be- 
sides our own, it must be remembered that the enemy, 
leaving us in possession of the battle-field, leaves to us 
the cai'o of his wounded; and, to their honor be it re- 
corded, our over-worked surgeons have always cared for 



104 CHRIST IK THE ARMY. 

them — working by night, as well as by day,, yet unable to i 

do the work of weeks in a few days. i 

Sufferings from Neglect. 

A correspondent of the American Preshijterian thus de- j 

scribes the sufterings our brave men endure for want of j 
prompt succor: — 

"As we dressed their wounds, many of them not touched 
since they left the battle-field, six days before, and almost 

none dressed for three or four days, some of them never j 

dressed except by a companion's hand; bullet-holes <on j 

each side of a leg or arm, where the ball had gone in and j 
come out j ghastly wounds, in shoulder or face, where it 

had dashed in and lost itself; wounds, all festering and I 

offensive, we were in a perpetual wonder, and in a sort of ! 

tearful and speechless admiration, which became intense j 

as the cheerful 'Thank you, sir," was given, and never j 

one murmur of dissatisfaction or complaint escajjed or \ 

was thought of. Surely, never has the world seen such i 

men. I have before me now a boy — that was all he was : 

— who came to me, asking me to dress his wound. It was \ 

through and through an arm or leg, I cannot say which | 
now; there have been too many under my hand since to 
permit me to be certain. 'When, my boy, was this v/ound 
dressed?' I asked, as moistening the bandage, I disclosed 

the frightful holes, all festering and offensive — frightful i 

then, but very simple and scarcely to be noticed now. 'It j 

was not dressed at all, sir, only by the teamster, four days | 

ago.' And this was said with a cheery voice and a plea- I 

sant smile. I dressed them, and was almost ashamed to ; 

hear the sweet and cheerful thanks that followed. I 



CIIillST IN THE ARMY. 105 

The Chaplains Cannot do this Work, 
A chaplain thus writes in the Amei'iean Presbyterian : 
"Chaplains cannot do the work. They arc generally 
to be found at the brigade and division hospitals on the 
field, where the wounded are first brouglit, and from which 
they are forwarded as speedilj'- as possible to this place or 
to Washington. If a chaplain comes here, he must look 
up the wounded of his own command, who are scattered 
through, perhaps, twenty hospitals, in various parts of 
the city, so that his time and strength are frittered away in 
the mere motion from place to place. But a delegate of 
the Commission has his own ward to attend to, where he 
nurses the men, and dresses their wounds, and supj)lies 
their wants, and furnishes religious reading, and holds 
his religious meetings, without reference to the regiments 
from which they come. Besides this, thei/ come fresh from 
home ; while the army nurses and chaplains are fagged 
out with excessive marching, and weakened by scant ra- 
tions or poor fare. They keep up their strength by the 
excitement of novel scenes and employment, and then go 
home, in two or three weeks, to recover from the fatigues 
and privations of their present life, amid the delights and 
good fare of home; but we must go on, with no such hope 
to cheer us, and no such novelty to excite. 

•'But I see that already the work is wea,ring on them. 
The care-worn face, the drooping form, tiie weary step, 
■show that in these abundant labors they are wearing 
down: and I rejoice that they may soon exchange this 
work for the quiet, and rest, and regular meals at home. 
The intolerable stench of gun-shot wounds, and the stoop- 



106 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

ing posture in dressing the wounds, or in any way help- 
ing or talking to men lying on the floor, rapidly wear 
out and sicken those engaged in this benevolent work. 
There is work here for many more self-denying men, and 
new recruits for this army of toil ought daily to supply 
the vacancies which may occur in the ranks. 

'^On the Sunday between the fight at the Wilderness 
and the fight at Spottsylvania, exhausted with the heat, 
and dust, and confusion of a march, rendered doubly, 
wearisome by the contrast with the holy calm of a Sab- 
bath at home, I stopped at a well, round which was ga- 
thered a crowd of thirsty soldiers, and found a delegate 
of the Christian Commission, drawing up the bucket, time 
after time, to fill the canteens and cups of eager men with 
clear, refreshing water — emblem of the living water, 
which whosoever drinks, shall thirst no more. A very 
appropriate work, I thought it, for a disciple of Him who 
said that he who should give a cup of cold water in His 
name, should not lose his reward." 

Help in Need. 
Just here the Christian Commission comes in with its 
regularly organized system of delegates, marching with 
every corps of the army, provided with cordials and 
stores, regularly organized by the Government and Lieu- 
tenant-General, and foremost on the field to seek the 
wounded and succor them. The New York Herald's cor- 
respondents, in their attempts to reach the line of battle, 
have tried to assume the character of delegates, well 
knowing that our soldiers expect the Christian Commis- 
sion at the front. Besides those marching with the army, 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 107 

a host of minute men are summoned by telegraph to their 
assistance, in such numbers as the emergency requires. 

These delegates and minute men, are gentlemen who 
oficr their gi-atuitous services for the succor of our 
wounded soldiers. They hold themselves in readiness to 
start, at the command of the Chairman of the Commission, 
for any battlc-fickl where wounded men need relief. 
Merchants, mechanics, lawyers, physicians, ministers of 
the gospel, professors of colleges, members of Congress, 
mayors of Boston and other cities, and bishops of the 
Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches, have soli- 
cited the honor of wearing the badge of the Christian 
Commission, which gave them the right to wash and feed 
our bleeding heroes, to bind up their wounds, and to clothe 
them with clean linen, when their blood-stained garments 
must be cast aside. Over four hundred such gentlemen 
are now in Virginia, engaged in these labors of love, 
— writing letters for the wounded to their friends at 
home, easing the agonizing suspense of many a mother 
and wife, and speaking woixls of consolation to the suf- 
fering soldier. Knowing that religion is the only true 
comfort in life, and the only preparation for death, they 
point the wounded soldiers to the Great Physician, tell 
them of forgivenness of sins through his blood, and unite 
in prayer with the dying for Grod's mercy to his soul. 
Then gathering up his littl :! relics, with a lock of his hair, 
they write the sad story to the widow or bereaved mother, 
with the last message of her darling, and transmit the 
precious parcel by express or mail. The Chairman of 
the Commission brought up with him, on a recent visit 



108 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

to the Wilderness, three thousand letters and j^arcels. 
Knowing the repugnance Avhich our soldiers feel, and ex- 
press, against being "buried like dogs," they secure 
Christian burial for the dead, improve the solemn service 
for the benefit of the spectators, and mark the grave over 
which, perhaps, affection may shed its tears and plant its 
flowers in better days. In a word, the delegate of the 
Christian Commission is the soldier s brother. 

A Veteran of the Old Stock. 

One of the most efficient delegates of the Christian 
Commission to the Army of the Potomac, is Rev. Natha- 
niel R. Gates, of the family of Gen. Gates, of revolu- 
tionary fame. Mr. Gates was a drummer in the war of 
1812, rose to the rank of captain, and then became a 
preacher of the denomination termed the United Brethren 
in Christ. He is now in the sixty-ninth year of his age, 
is a resident of Pennsylvania, bears a strong resemblance 
to the late Lyman Beecher, and has eight sons in the 
army. Few, if any, of the younger delegates can com- 
pete with him in labors. — Congrcgationalist. 

Rev. Robert Parvin, of Philadelphia, thus describes 
this 

Help for the Wounded. 

"Bear in mind, Mr. Chairman and Christian friends, 
that we go as agents of the United States Christian 
Commission, not solely to carry tracts, and books, and 
papers. If that be the idea of any, it is a mistaken idea. 
The great idea is to go in the spirit of the Lord, who 
cared for the bodies as well as for the souls of men. And 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 109 

we minister to both. We go as our blessed Lord and 
Master went, to care for the poor, and naked, and halt 
and blind ; and we go not in the spirit of the bearers of 
charity, but to carry the thank-offerings of the people 
of the North to the brave fellows who are suffering for 
them, who have loon, fairly won all, and more than all, 
that we could possibly bring them. 

We go not merely to look at the field. Let me show 
you the starting scene when our delegates start out 
upon their work. When the news came to Philadelphia, 
that something terrible was going on at Antietam, we 
knew not what, word was sent to a few of us who were 
down on the roll, as " minute men," — men ready to go 
at a minute's warning, — that we were wanted to go that 
night. We met in a room, ready to go. Our equipments 
were there waiting for us. We gathered from them 
some idea of practical work in the field, of the sorrow- 
ful mission that was before us. Here on the floor lay 
a great bundle of blankets. Each delegate must take 
one of them — he is supposed to endure hardship as a 
good soldier. There is a pile of tin pails, he must take 
one of these, as he will have to carry water from the 
nearest spring; and there is a pile of tin cuj^s, he must 
bear the cooling drink to the thirsting lips, and he can- 
not do without this. And there, too, is a pile of haver- 
sacks. Each delegate takes one of these. He will need 
it himself J he must have something by him to sustain 
his own life, but he will need it more, especially to carry 
some soft, fresh bread to give to the poor fellows who have 
had only " hard-tack," and who, through wounds, sick- 



10 



110 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

ness, and infirmity, are unable longer to eat it. He will 
find many on the extremity of the field who have been 
neglected for days, and possibly for a whole week; and 
when he comes to such he must have his food with him, 
he cannot stop now and run back to get it — it must be 
on hand when the extremity requires it. There also we 
find a pile of little bull's-eye lanterns. Each delegate is 
to take one of these. Why are these wanted ? Ah, he 
begins to have an idea of the work before him. He is 
to be out on the field at night. There are not avenues 
lighted up by gas to direct him in his solitary work. 
His work is to be in the woods or in the wilderness 
which the havoc of war has made desolate. He must 
have a light that he may not stumble over the dead or 
the wounded ; he must look after and seek out each 
patient sutlercr, and care for them all. 

Thus equipped, he starts out. At the time to which 1 
refer, six or eight of us started at midnight from Phila- 
delphia for the battle field of Antietam. Eeaching 
Monocacy River, we found the bridge destroyed, and we 
had to land our goods on the banks and cross them over 
the best way we could, in a Babel of confusion. Soon we 
reached Fredericksburg and saw long trains of wounded 
who had come down from South Mountain and the battle 
field of Antietam. Here began a work which I have 
not time to describe. Churches were turned into hospi- 
tals. You call for men to bring in boards and cover the 
tops of the pews all around ; and if boards cannot be 
had, you tear out the pews, and bring in the straw or 
hay taken from the nearest stack, and you are ready to 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. Ill 



receive the patients. Then come down the long train of j 

ambulances. You go to the brave fellows in them, | 

you bear them out, you bear them gentl}'-, for they are I 

great sufferers with terrible wounds, you lay them on the j 

floor, up and down, in great rows, leaving space between i 

them only enough to go in and out among them, and ] 

there you minister to them in this the time of their I 

need. I 

This is something of the practical work of the Chris- j 

tian Commission on the battle field. It does not answer ' 

when we take these brave fellows out of the ambulances, i 

or take them from the field as we see them lying there, , 

to take a tract or Testament, and lay it on his wounds, ! 

and standing off, say : " My dear fellow, I am sori'v for j 

you ; here is something for you to read \" This is not j 

what he wants just then ! No ! You go to him as I have j 

gone, and taking my own knife from my pocket, have I 

cut the blood3'^-clotted shirt off, inch by inch, because it i 

euold not otherwise be removed from him — he had been j 

lying in it all night — and use then the sponge, and the j 
water, and the other appliances for his comfort. Then 

bring out of our stores, as we can, the clean shii't and 1 

the clean drawers, and put them on him — and what a j 

ueAV breath the dear fellow gives ! He begins to revive. | 

There is hope there. His face beams with grateful j 

recognition. Now you may, perhaps, take him by the j 

hand and talk to him. Now you may say to him, "My | 
dear fellow, there is a robe of righteousness which your 
soul needs. Christ has wrought it for you. He brought 
it from heaven. He is ready to bestow it upon you. 



112 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

You may receive it, if you want it. Would you not like 
to have it, too ? May we talk with you and pray 
with you?" "Yes, you may !" I have never found it 
otherwise. Many men have we seen thus cared for. 
They are touched to the heart by these ministrations. 
The delegate is beckoned to the knapsack, or the hand 
of the soldier is turned to it to find the little Testa- 
ment, and if speech be wanting, the eyes invite us to 
read the inscription on the fly-leaf; they want us to know 
this story, " I was a Sunday-shool boy at home, there is 
my name in the book which my teacher, or perhaps my 
mother gave me before I went away," and you have 
gained the man. You now have access to his soul 
through his body, you have cared for one, administered 
to the other, and you have beei;! gladly, warmly, grate- 
fully received. 

A Grateful G-erman. 
Passing from these, how the eye of a suffering German 
soldier kindled as it rested upon my badge, while, in the 
best English he could command, he expressed his appre- 
ciation of our enterprise! "Ah, das ish te Christian 
Commission. He's te pesht man in the army. Him 
saves my life. He comes round when we lays in te Wil- 
derness, all two days and two nights, ant no preat and 
no vater, ant no Doctor, and shust pick up all uv um, 
ant give um preat ant vater, ant nurse um. 0, he so 
goot! He's te pesht man in te army. Him work shust 
like a nigger." 

Rev. F. P. Monfort. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 113 



XIV. 

If Thine Enemy Hunger, Feed Him, 
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Presa, one of the 
delegates, thus writes: — 

"At five o'clock on the evening of the 6th of May, I 
landed at Belle Plain. Half an hour afterv/ards, a train 
of ambulances came in from the front, bringing 120 se- 
riously wounded officers. These men had been sixteen 
hours in the ambulances, riding over the rough roads, 
and nearly dead from fatigue, to say nothing of the suf- 
fering they endured from their wounds. To thirty of 
these I gave, with my own hands, each a cuj) of coffee 
a piece of bread, a piece of meat and an orange. Every 
one, with tears in his eyes, invoked God's blessing upon 
the Christian Commission. They had not eaten any 
thing for twenty-four hours. The following day, in the 
afternoon, a train of ambulances, bearing some 400 
wounded, came in. They were men Avho had been left 
upon the field, and whose wounds had not been dressed 
for sixteen days. Being accustomed to the work, I as- 



10« 



114 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

sisted a surgeon in dressing their wounds, and many of 
them I di'essed alone. I never saw men in such a con- 
dition, either before or since. Many had died on the 
way. These the delegates of the Commission had buried 
at Belle Plain. At this time there were at Belle Plain 
some 5,000 rebel prisoners. While on my round of duty, 
I neared the rebel camp. Passing a log hog-pen. Hooked 
in and there discovered four rebels lying on the ground, 
evidentl}'^ sick. I went in and found that two of them 
had the bloody flux, one the camp fever, the other diar- 
rhoea, with chills and fever. I went back to the head- 
quarters of the Commission, procured blankets, medicines, 
and nourishment, and came again to these miserable men, 
gave them medicine, made beds for them, and gave them 
food. They cried like children. Two of them said they 
were Christians, and desired me to pray with them, which 
I did. I started for and arrived at Fredericksburg. 
Here there were about 11,000 wounded. I was imme- 
diately sent to the Fifth Army Corps Hospital, and la- 
bored there day and night, dressing wounds, distributing 
stores and reading matter, talking to and joraying for the 
sufferers — praying and talking with the dying, and 
writing letters for them. It was a blessed privilege to be 
so occupied." 

Can't Stand It. 
Rev. Mr. Merrill, of Portland, Maine, after the battle 
of Antietam, found a number of wounded rebels in a barn 
and barn-yard, deserted by their surgeons, with no well 
man near to help them — the dying and the dead lying 
together for three days, amid the filth of the barn-yard, 
without food or drink. He immediately carried drink to 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 115 

them, procured ambulances, and proceeded to remove 
them to the field hospital; first relieving their hunger 
with the supplies brought in the ambulances, and then 
beginning to wash them from the filth in which they had 
been left lying by their own ofiicers and comrades. As 
he proceeded with this disgusting work of charity, he 
took oif the shoes and stockings of a rebel, and be- 
gan to wash his feet. The man began to sob and cry. 

''What is the matter; do I hurt you?" said Mr. Mer- 
rill. 

•'No, you don't." 

Mr. Merrill proceeded with his work, and again the 
man began to cry and sob. 

''I really cannot go on to wash you, unless you tell me 
what is the matter." 

"Matter enough. You call us rebels, and I suppose 
we are, for I fought agin that ere old flag ; but when 
we're wounded, you come to us here not like angels, but 
like the Lord Jesus Christ himself, washiii ^ our feet, and 
I can't stand it — I can't stand it." 

Relief of our Starving Prisoners frorj Eichmond, 
At an early period the sympathies of the Commission 
were enlisted on behalf of these martyrs for liberty, by 
the personal observation of the terrible state of Alfre"d 
Caldwell and his comrades, by Rev. Robert Patterson, 
D. D., of Chicago ; Mr. George H. Stuart, of Philadel- 
phia, and other members of the Commission, and by the 
letters of Rev. I. 0. Sloan, — a well-known and highly 
respected Presbyterian minister of Philadelphia — some 
extracts from which we subjoin: — 



116 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Annapolis, Nov. 20, 1863. — Rev. W. E. Boardman: — 
Three hundred and fifty of the suffering, starving Union 
prisoners have just arrived, and been removed from the 
boat at this point. Many, like those received on the 20th 
of October, give evidence of the cruel treatment received 
at the hands of the rebel authorities. Six died on board 
the boat as she came from Fortress Monroe, and two more 
as soon as they were removed to their wards. It makes 
the heart bleed to think of so many of our men still being 
in the Libby and on Belle Isle. 

Two young meft, taken at Chickamauga, and among 
the number who came to-day, tell me that an officer at 
the hospital in Richmond told them that an average of 
forty-three of our men who are there die every day. How 
such a fact should arouse and stir up the people of the 
loyal States ! These men ought certainly to be released. 

Send us whatever stores you can from the Christian 
Commission. : Many boxes have been received which have 
done great ga'>>d. Dr. Vanderkieft, of this hospital, and 
Dr. Porter qi\M. John's College, give their personal at- 
tention to all tt^ese men on their arrival, and show that 
they can feel and sympathize with our comrades in arms, 
suflFering from imprisonment and cruel usage, as well as 
seek, by their skill as surgeons, to restore them to health. 
Yours truly, I. 0. SLOAN, 

Afjent Christian Commission at Annapolis. 

On the representation of the kind treatment they had 
received from the Christian Commission, by the rebel 
officers captured at Gettysburg and Antietam, Ihe Eich- 
mond authorities granted permission to the Commission 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 117 

to send hospital stores and books to our prisoners there; 
and, while this door was open, the Commission sent about 
one thousand dollars worth daily; and has reason to know 
that these stores were honorably delivered, and saved 
inany precious lives. The rebel authorities, however, 
soon withdrew this permission. 

The Commission has sent seven delegates to meet the 
exchanged prisoners from Savannah with suecoi', and con- 
stantly supplied those landed at Annapolis with such 
clothing and delicacies as they needed. Its agent there, 
Rev. I. 0. Sloan, faithfully tenders consolation and in- 
struction, and often has the melancholy pleasure of cheer- 
ing the dying martyrs for liberty. 



118 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



j|!|l!l!!l!!ililll!!llli!l!ill!l!!ililill!iiilllllll!i^ 



'Wv^'^\>?^ii 




Private .J.U iv.^<i.> u. i.n >.-Mlh,vit ■, in. i>, i,,,ta iihikiiki .Mounted In- 
fantry. Age 20 years ; height 6 feet 1 inch ; weight, when captured, la'i 
lbs.; was in rebel hands three and one-quarter months, 2 months of 
which were passed on Belle Isle. Under treatment in U. S. Hospital 8 
weeks— constantly improving— now, May, 19th, 1864, weighs 108>^ lbs. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 119 



XV. 



The work of the Commission a.mong our wounded, has 
been greatly increased during the current year. It has 
followed the army with schooners and steam-tugs, with 
wagons and teams, with a steam-fire engine, to pump 
pure water, and a portable kitchen, to cook for moving 
wagon-trains of wounded, with Diet Kitchens in field 
hospitals, and an increased force of noble women and 
men to work these appliances and personally minister to 
the sorrows of the mind, as well as the wounds of the 
bodies of our wounded heroes. 

The various loyal States have increased their efi"orts, 
and the local organizations arc now extending in every 
part of the land. 

The following specimens of shipments of stores will 
give some idea of the various and vast demands upon us, 
amounting, in the month of September, to over $127,000, 
from the Central Ofiice, while the amount from the 
Branches added, will make $180,000 in a month. 



120 CHRIST 


IN THE AUMY. 


Hospital Stores. 


Hospital stores forwa 


■ded fur distribution from Cen- 


tral Office, Philadelphia 


aud from the branch office at 


Baltimore, during the month of September, 1864 : 


3,664 Shirts. 




156 Boxes Matches. 


3,296 Pairs Drawers. 




116 ftis. Cured Ham. 


1,142 " Socks. 




16 Brooms. 


1,511 " Slippers. 




24 Feeding Cups. 


75 " Shoos. 




12 Canes. 


2,348 " Suspenders. 




20 Papers of Pins. 


2,335 Handkerchiefs. 




754 Reams "Writing Paper. 


4S Other articles 


of 


183,000 Envelopes. 


clothing. 




11 Gross Pons. 


433 Pillows. 




676 Pen-holders. 


269 Pillow Cases. 




3,744 Pencils. 


66 Sheets. 




24 Slates. 


147 Quilts and Spreads. 




168 Quarts Ink. 


453 Towels. 




1,848 Cans Turkey. 


160 Arm Slings. 




960 " Beef. 


85 Thumb Stalls. 




2,496 " Mutton. 


2,668 Rolls of Bandages. 




1,862 " Cliicken. 


819 Pads. 




240 " Teal. 


12 Eye Shades. 




48 " Duck. 


32i Crutches. 




76 " Assorted Meat*. 


2,000 Crutch-heads. 




381 lbs. Dried Beef. 


15,000 Needles. 




645 lbs. Cured Fish. 


1,933 Housewives. 




2,743 lbs. Beef-tea Jelly. 


1,154 Fans. 




3,246 Cans Peaches. 


1,072 Combs. 




4,988 " Tomatoes. 


480 ft>s. Soap. 




1,332 " Cherries. 


26 Bbs. Thread. 




372 " Strawberries. 



CHRIST IN 


THE ARMY.- 121 


2,70G cans Blackberries. 


55 lt)s. Soda. 


3,772 " Pears. 


50 " Flour. 


240 " Plums. 


33^ Tons Ice. 


249 " Brandy Peaches. 


.347 Boxes Peaches. 


3,202 " Jelly. 


1 Box Tapioca. 


709 " Assorted Fruit. 


.54 Bottles Catsup. 


219 '• Preserves. 


y^ Bush. Flax Seed. 


14 Barrels Dried Apples. 


94 Bottles Fruit Syrup. 


480 Itjs. Dried Fruit, Asso'd. 


1,077 Galls. Blackberry Cordial. 


5,416 Cans Condensed Milk. 


498 Bottles Brandy. 


980 lt>s. Ground Coffee. 


389 " Sherry Wine. 


.519 Itis. Tea. 


250 " Domestic " 


.39.5 " Chocolate. 


118 " Black)>erry. 


681 " Sugar. 


27 " Port Wine. . 


4,829 " Farina. 


174 " Whiskey. 


5,53.5 " Corn Starch. 


768 " Porter. 


50 " Arrow Root. 


671 " Bay Rum. 


100 " Sago. 


227 " Cologne. 


98 " Gelatine. 


12 " Alcohol. 


443 " Butter. 


11,195 " Ess.. Ja. Ginger. 


149 Bbls. Crackers. 


6 Galls. Castor Oil. 


30 " Boston Crackers. 


5 fts. Chloroform. 


1 Bbl. Dried Rusk. 


25 " Epsom Salts. 


1 " Ginger Cakes. 


22 " Camphor. 


5 Bbls. Meal. 


1 Box Pain-Killcr. 


4 Boxes Cheese. 


4,008 Tonic Pills. 


1,295 Cans Assorted Pickles. 


25 Yds. Isinglass Plaster. 


2,343 Galls. Pickled Cucum- 


16 lbs. Spices. 


bers. 


149 Boxes ass'd Hospital 


12 Bush. Onions. 


Stores, not included. 


1 Keg Limes. 





11 



122 CHKIST IN THE ARMY. 

Large quantities of hospital stores of all kinds are also 
purchased, and sent directly from New York, Boston, 
Washington, St. Louis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Louisville, 
and other branches, to their respective fields of labor. 
The following statement of the Pittsburg branch, will il- 
lustrate this department of the work. 



Joseph Albree, Treasurer, 

In account with Army Committee of Western Penn- 
sylvania: 
To cash received from all sources, $94,566 39 

CR. 

By amount expended for hospital stores, $52,400 97 

" " religious publica- 

tions, 13,617 96 

By amount of delegates' expenses, 5,198 05 

'• exjiended for oftice expenses, 

rent, wages of boys, postage, coal 
and sundries. 

By amount expended for relief of soldiers in 
city, 

By amount remitted to Central Office, Phila- 
delphia, 

Bv amount of counterfeit money. 



1,479 


07 


73 


65 


21,383 


75 


141 


25 


$95,294 


70 


$ 728 31 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 123 

The undersigned, auditors, having carefully examined 
the books and accounts of Joseph Albrcc, Esq., Treasurer 
of Christian Commission, find the same to be correct. 

Joseph Horne, 
James M'Candless. 

RECEIVER'S REPORT. 
Account of Stores forwarded from April, 1863, to Nov'r, 1864. 

Flannel shirts, 7,059 

Muslin " 10,203 

Flannel drawers, prs 4,976 

Muslin " " 6,599 

Slippers, prs 1,752 

Sheets, 2,196 

€omforts 731 

Blankets, 860 

Pillows, 4,324 

" cases, 3,369 

Socks, prs 11,449 

Dressing gowns, 921 

Handkerchiefs, 11,872 

Towels, 4,887 

Mittens, prs 2,980 

Housewives, 5,760 

Rolls of bandages, 14,975 

" muslin, 11,390 

Pads and rings, 31,092 

Arm slings, 9,074 

Mosquito nets, 279 

Lint, lbs 1,746 



124 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Buttons, gross, 783 

Needles, " 376 

Thread, lbs 297 

Fans, 12,460 

Combs, ^. 0,960 

Crutches, i)r? ' 4,175 

Sponges, 760 

Cabbage, etc., l)bls 37 

Tin cups and plates, 1,490 

Dishes, doz 120 

Cups and mugs, doz 341 

Canes, 510 

Carpet, yds 407 

Stoves, 14 

Tents, 3 

Wagons, 2 

Horses, 4 

Cans of fruit 22,837 

Dried fruit, lbs 32,343 

Wine, qts 4,210 

Whiskey, qts 6,109 

Brandy, " 1,640 

Blackberry cordial, qt.s 1,376 

Bay rum, qts 591 

Cologne, "' 762 

Pickles, 208,760 

Butter, lbs 14.290 

Corn starch, lbs 1,241 

Crackers, " 4,164 

Farina, " 448 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 125 

Ginger, lbs 250 

Sago, '•' 165 

Gelatine, " 75 

Sugar, " 3,462 

Honey " 130 

Hoarhound " 163 

Maccaroni, " 485 

Barley, " 278 

Tapioca " 610 

Nutmegs, '' 115 

Chocolate, " 285 

Tea, " 156 

Vegetables, bush 2,641 

Eggs, doz 5,720 

Meat, in cans, 410 

Milk, " 2,476 

Beef tea, in cans, 1,190 

Apple butter, qts 2,219 

Dried beef, lbs 1,840 

Citric acid, lbs 240 

Flavoring extracts, bottles, 860 

Oysters, cans, 75 

Oranges, doz 1,120 

Lemons, " 1,470 

Chairs, 360 

Ink, qts 114 

Papers and tracts, pages, 2,261,976 

Small soldier books, 126,524 

Large soldier hooks, for libraries, 7,404 

Testaments, 18,940 



11* 



126 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

Hymn and psalm books, 21,472 

Magazines and pamphlets, 40,120 

Writing paper, reams, 957 

Pens, doz 4,860 

Lead pencils, 3,420 

Envelopes, 87,940 

Medicines, to the value of $2,109. 

The above articles have been sent by the Pittsburg 
Branch of the United States Christian Commission, to our 
armies, and distributed by our delegates to the soldiers. 
Value of stores donated, $108,067 03 

" " purchased, 53,400 97 

Total value of stores, $161,468 00 

Wm. p. Weyman, Receiver, 

No. 76 Smithficld street, 

Pittsburg, Penn'a. 

The Svibsistence Committee have very admirable re- 
freshment rooms in the central part of the city. They 
have fed, during the month, thirty thousand soldiers. 

The Ladies' Christian Commission meets every after- 
noon, at the City Hall, from 2 to 5 o'clock. The follow- 
ing work has been cut out and made up during the 
month: — 292 shirts, 184 pairs of drawers, 370 handker- 
chiefs, 265 pait-s of crutches covered, 834 arm slings, 110 
bandages. 

Cost. 

The cost of all these expenditures for the past month, 
is one hundred and twenty-seven thousand, four hundred 
and twenty-four dollars, from the Central Office ; that of the 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY/ 127 

bi-anches added, increases it toover one hundred and eighty 
thousand dollars ; or six thousand dollars iier day. But 
we have not yet reached all our soldiers, nor done for any 
of them all we are in duty bound to do. The gunboats, 
hospitals and chapel tents, should each possess a good 
library of a hundred and fifty volumes. Let every owner 
of a library at once release a few well-bound volumes of 
healthful, liyely literature, and forward them to the 
Christian Commission; who will forward one thousand 
four hundred and forty such libraries to our soldiers and 
sailors, if the books are donated, and will secure their 
proper use. The field and post-hospitals must be sup- 
plied with large print Testaments, and hundreds of thou- 
sands of pocket scriptures and hymn-books mnst be 
furnished to the new levies, and to the brave men who 
have lost their copies in marches and battles. The 
friends of the Bible should see that the American Bible 
Society is supplied with funds for this lai-ge demand. 
Then the soldiers ask eagerly for the regular religious 
newsjoapers; and the Commission is making arrangements 
to treble their present army circulation. But a copy 
of a paper, weekly, to each man in the pay of the United 
States — and surely to men who seldom have any other 
reading whatever, this is little enough — will demand 
one million of dollars per annum. Chapel tents, so 
greatly blessed as the scenes of the revivals last winter, 
must be provided, and should be in each brigade. They 
will cost six hundred dollars qach. 

The impending conflicts at Richmond, Charleston and 
Mobile, will make sudden and extensive demands for bat- 



128 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

tie-field stores. As we write, extensive shipments are go- 
ing forward for the relief of the heroes who have cleared 
the enemy out of the valley of the Shenandoah, under 
Sheridan, and for the naked and famished exchanged 
prisoners at Savannah. Unexpected contingencies are 
continually arising. 

To meet the expenses of the Winter's work, the Com- 
mission needs not less than One Million of dollars. 

The amount is trifling, compared with the outlay of the 
nation in this Avar; being less than a single day's expen- 
diture. The Church is amply able to give it. Let every 
gospel hearer only contribute the amount of his taxes. 
Let not your tears for our soldiers be imbittered by the gall of 
regret," that you neglected an earnest effort for their soul's 
salvation. Next month may be too late. God is honor- 
ing our army by the presence of his Spirit as never was 
an army honored before. Let not customary trivial con- 
tributions throw their slight upon such a Pentecost. The 
universal revival of our army would be the universal re- 
vival of all the churches, and villages, and cities of our 
land, to which our converted soldiers would carry the holy 
fire. Rise, then, we beseech you, to the magnitude of this 
great occasion, by a supply of means to work while the 
war lasts. Make an offering worthy of your gracious 
God, your loving Saviour, your great country, and her 
brave defenders. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 129 



XVI. 

I say the results — for this war must come to an end, 
as all wars have done. "We shall yet dwell in peace with 
those brave erring men against whom we are now at 
war. From the great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico — from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific that flag shall wave over these 
re-united States — one glorious country — one and indi- 
visible evermore. There are some wise men in the East, 
and possibly some here, who prophesy our inability to 
obtain men to re-enforce otir armies, and to defend us from 
the aggressions of European powers. Sir, I come from 
one of the newest of our Western States, where hundreds 
of miles of unbroken prairie yet invite the plow, and 
where, upon thousands of the farms, the farmers' grow- 
ing boys and blooming girls are the only help for harvest 
labors. But, when the boom of the cannon fired against 
Sumter was heard across the prairie, the fai-mer left his 
plow in the furrow, and the young man, building the 
cottage for his betrothed, left the~hand-saw in the plank, 
(I have seen it there,) and workmen fell into line in their 
working clothes, and sent word to their wives to meet 



130 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

them at the railroad depot with clean shirts, for they 
were off to fight for the Union; and again has this scene 
been enacted, till a hundred and eighty-one gallant regi- 
ments left our soil, and mothers and children gazed wist- 
fully, yet proudly, on the receding columns. No con- 
scription drew these men — they all volunteered. To-day, 
Illinois has furnished, ahead of all calls and drafts, on 
her quota, 12,473 of the sort of boys who took Fort Do- 
nelson; and if Father Abraham should need another 
million of men to repel this threatened French aggression, 
we have a few more of the same sort left. It is a great 
mistake to suppose that our population is being dimi- 
nished by the war. Doubtless every household feels the 
blank caused by the absence of the brother or the son, 
who preferred to anticipate by a few years the common 
doom of humanity, for the honor of a hero's grave. But 
the lack is not evident in the community. A stream of 
emigration from the snow-clad hills of Norway, the pine 
forests of Sweden, the meadows of Holland, the vine-clad 
banks of the merry Rhine, the workshops of Britain, and 
the green hills of Ireland, has more than supplied the 
drain of the army. To-day you could not get house- 
room in Chicago unless you rented the house while 
building, and the city is obliged, so great is the concourse, 
to provide white-gloved policemen to assist the ladies at 
the crossings of the streets. There is no danger that we 
shall be obliged to submit to the breaking up of our 
country for the want of men to defend it, thank God. 

Nor is the financial difficulty which men apprehended 
inevitable. I grant that we are expending money very 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 131 

fast now, but no faster than we are making it. Our 
taxes certainly are large, but they are only the price of 
the barrel that holds the flour. Our national debt is said 
to be $1,000,000,000. Well, that is only about the 
amount we lay past in bank or in real estate every year. 
The increase in the value of real estate from the year 
1850 to 1860, as reported in the Preliminary Report of 
the Eighth Census, page 194, is $8,925,481. For the four 
years since, the increase is proportionally much greater. 
The whole national debt could be paid off in one year, 
and the nation be no poorer than it was two years ago. 
Our great difficulty is not financial. We have money 
enough to carry on this war until it shall please the Lord 
of Hosts to give us the victory. 

Our difficulty is the moral difficulty — the defeat of suc- 
cess. It is the great difficulty which has overturned 
every military republic known to history — the jjolitical 
power of a demoralized army. Spartan austerity, Athe- 
nian culture, Roman courage and discipline, alike fell be- 
fore the returning conquerors of other nations: and the 
fate of the French Republic is fresh before our eyes. 
Every un-Christian republic has fallen ))y war. 

We must not shut our eyes to the influences of that 
camj) education to which we are exposing the youths of 
our Republic, during the susceptible period when charac- 
ter takes the impression of circumstances, and amidst cir- 
cumstances which tend to confuse the distinction between 
the ignoble vices of the camp, and the noble patriotism 
of the army. We withdraw our boys from business of 
daily life, and from the influence of public opinions. 



132 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

aud from the refining influence of female society. We 
employ them for hours in the day in a wearisome and 
monotonous drill, absolutely necessary, however, to their 
success in the battle-field; and when that is over, we 
leave them to an equally monotonous indolence. There 
is the same camp beyond which they may not stir, the 
same companions, the same hard tack, pork and coffee 
through the year, with no luxury, save whiskey, and no 
amusement save cards, and the general tone of conversa- 
tion around them — profane; need we wonder that very 
many youths give way to vices from which they could 
have recoiled with horror at home? Withdraw from 
them the influences of religious ordinances, the i-emem- 
brance of the Sabbath, and the stated preaching of the 
Gospel, and what restraint is left upon those vices which 
military discipline deems beyond its range. 

Our republican institutions are based upon the moral 
character of our citizens. How long could they stand, 
if our people became a gambling, drunken, licentious, 
oath-despising people? Look at the Spanish republics ! 
Remember the return of the army which conquered Mex- 
ico — though but a mere handful compared with the hun- 
dreds of thousands who shall return, if God will, to their 
homes. 

How shall they return? How shall mothers receive 
the boys they sent forth so brave, and pure, and manly ? 
Shall they return recking with whiskey, and polluting 
the air with oaths, to take up their posts at the taverns, 
and become patterns of vice to the community ? — for they 
will be the heroes and admired examples of our children. 



CHKIST IN THE ARMY. 133 

They will be elected to all public offices. Thev will give 
tone to the manners and morals of our republic for the 
next thirty years. Shall they come back under the in- 
fluences of the Gospel, temperate, reverent, and pure? 
They may, if you will send them the restraining influences 
of the Gospel. No other power known to man can pre- 
serve them from vice. 

Military disciplirie does not projiose this object, and 
would be utterly powerless to accomplish it. All histo- 
rians and philosophers "acknowledge the dangers which 
surround the despotic power of a great military people. 

The military discipline of an army is necessarily strict 
and imperious, and where it extends, generally effectual. 
Its essential principle is obedience to oi'dersj which is 
the very opposite of the liberty of the citizen. An army 
is a despotism, a one-man power. It must be so. One 
mind must direct, and all the rest allow him to do the 
thinking for them. The General is master — absolute 
ruler j on any other principle an army is simply a mob. 
Now, so far as this ideal of an army is realized, its mem- 
bers become unfitted for civil life, and especially for the 
management of Republican Govei'nment. They are be- 
ing trained by military training — if that is the only edu- 
cation they are receiving, and if no moral and religious 
influences are at the same time brought to bear upon 
them — they are being trained to submission to despotic 
government J and I put it to you to say whether it be safe 
to expose boys to this constant, omnipresent, and all- 
powerful influence, without, at the same time, giving 
the soldier those powerful higher motives which will ena- 



12 



134 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

ble him to submit to the orders of his officer from respect 
to the authority of God. If the soldier be merely the fol- 
lower of Caesar, or of Napoleon, he will rqadily become 
the tool of his ambition : the army will be first, and the 
country second, and God nowhere. Remove the law of 
God from the soldier's heart, and you leave no other law 
than the orders of his commanding officer — and you have 
an army like that of iiafldel France, ready to enthrone 
any unprincipled, successful General. But ingraft the 
principles of military obedience on the conscience, show 
the soldier that obedience to his commanding officer is 
due because the welfare of his country, and the law of 
his God require it, and you will see Senators, and Judges, 
and Vice Presidents shouldering the musket and knap- 
sack cheerfully, and obeying the orders of men socially, 
intellectually and morally their inferiors; yet you will 
never see such soldiers lifting their hands at the bidding 
of any man, or at the more powerful promptings of their 
own ambition, against their country. When their 
country's battles have been fought, they will lay down 
their swords at her feet, and, like the soldiers of Crom- 
well, or, like our own immortal Washington, by the 
example of their virtue, bless the land they have bled to 
save. 

But give to men who have been educated out of their 
consciences an unprincipled General and a convvilsed na- 
tion, and you shall see, as in France, a powerful army 
bribed into the service of an adventurer, transfoi*ming 
the republic into an empire, and a builder of empires upon 
the ruins of American republics. The Gospel of Christ — 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 135 

who humbled Himself, and made Himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took on Himself the guise of a servant — is the 
only known power which is capable of restraining the 
General and of inspiring the soldier, and of uniting both 
in a willingness to lay down their arms, when no longer 
needed for the defence of their country. 

But I anticipate a still greater influence of religion in 
our army than a mere negative restraining power. Our 
every day religion, for some centuries, has been cold, and 
gradually becoming effete ; and the world, taking advan- 
tage of its pai"alysis, is fast overlaying it by mere force 
of numbers. Even in London — the capital of Christen- 
dom — heathenism grows faster than the church: and in 
our own great cities there is a rapidly increasing under- 
ground class not reached by our respectable churches. 
In fact, our religion is of the respectable burgess order, 
fat, well-clad in broad cloth, with gilt Bible, Gothic 
church and organ; and most Christians have never 
dreamed of the rough combat with the powers of dark- 
ness which an earnest effort to convert the world de- 
mands. Now, we want an infusion of the military spirit 
into our religion, to make us soldiers of Christ of the 
Apostolic sort ; and we greatly need that vigorous, bo- 
dily, and mental health which camp life inspires. A 
dyspeptic piety will never convert the world. Let the 
revival with which the Lord is now honoring our army, 
extend over all the regiments, let a majority of our sol- 
diers feel its influence, and go home to their churches 
and villages converted soldiers, and soon our churches 
would be revived with such a revival as the astonished 



13G CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

world has never witnessed. No discussion of dogmas, 
nor dreaming about experiences, while the enemy is be- 
fore them, and the Captain of the Lord's host has given 
the orders to charge ! A single regiment of converted 
soldiers would attack a state, and the ungodliness of the 
Union could not long stand before our army of good sol- 
diers of Jesus Christ. The conversion of our country 
will be the result of the evangelization of our army. 

But not merely the welfare of our republic — the best 
interests of the world demand that the power of religion 
be felt in our army. Our nation is a microcosm. All the 
nations of the earth flock to our shores. The Chinese 
and the German meet in jonr streets. Here alone, of all 
the nations of the world, are all nations welcome. Here 
only has the great experiment been tried of the ability of 
men for self-government. We are regarded by the peo- 
ple of all nations as their natural ally. 

Our young country is like a young man entering upon 
life, who, during the first years of his boyhood, cannot 
seriously determine what his vocation in life shall be. 
It was the design, no doubt, of the founders of this Re- 
public that we should remain isolated from the politics 
of the other nations of the earth, cultivating the soil, and 
attending to our domestic affairs — interfering with none, 
and not interfered with by others. Doubtless, this con- 
dition of things would be very delightful, could it be 
permitted to us. But, 

" There's a divinity that shapes our ends, 
lloush-hew them how we will."' 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 137 

And it does not appear to be the design of the Almighty- 
Disposer of the destinies of nations to permit this E,e- 
jpublic, enjoying, as it has done, unparalleled civil liberty, 
the most extensive circulation of Gospel principles, the 
largest opportunities of developing external civilization, 
and now suddenly astonishing us at the sight of our soil 
covered with armed men, undergoing a rigid military dis- 
cipline — it does not appear to be the design of God that 
the United States of America should occupy any such 
humble, isolated, private situation among the nations of 
the world. 

The Lord has led vis by a way we knew not, into a 
wonderful prominence among the nations of the earth. 
He has been for centuries preparing this nation for a 
vastness of military power without a parallel in the an- 
nals of mankind. The Lord of Hosts seems to have 
chosen this land as His great military and naval depot, 
for raising and training the legions He has called for the 
last great conflict of earth; and He has in these last days 
flashed into the minds of Americans discoveries evidently 
designed to facilitate the equipment of His hosts. This 
nation was being prepared for the feeding of vast armies 
by the discovery of the prairies. The Reaping Machine 
came in time for securing the wholesale harvesting of the 
crops. The Threshing Machine and the Steam Mill con- 
verted them into flour before night. The Power Spin- 
ning Mill, the Steam Loom, and the Sewing Machine 
made it possible to clothe our vast armies in a short time. 
Mines of iron and coal were made accessible by canals 
and railroads, and engines of tremendous power were 



12* 



138 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

working iron plates for boilers, and bars for railroads, 
and ship-builders were experimenting upon iron ships. 
Millions of workingmen of all lands came, impelled by 
some Divine instinct, to our shores, and when God's 
trumpet sounded the call to the war, the German, the 
Hungarian, the Swede and the Irishman marched shoulder 
to shoulder to the defence of their adopted land. With- 
out any plan or forethought of ours, and contrary even 
to the traditionary maxims of the fathers of our reiDublic, 
we find ourselves the most powerful nation in the world, 
with a larger army and a more powerful navy than any 
nation on earth. We have one million of men under 
arms to-day, and over eight hundred vessels of war afloat. 
The quality and armament of our armies and navies is 
even more extraordinary; the developments of the strife 
perfectly astounding. For when the Congress and Cum- 
berland sunk at Newport, the wooden navies of the world 
went down AVith them. The wooden walls of Old England 
fell before the Merrimac, and her long boasted supre- 
macy of the ocean foundered as they sunk before the iron 
monster, and her officers speedilj' exploded her in terror 
of the Monitor. Thenceforth the iron-clad ship was the 
only ship of war. All the rest in her presence were only 
wooden coffins. By a wonderful series of providences we 
have been enabled to build from our own work-shops a 
large number of iron ships, actually afloat and in service, 
and armed with larger and more powerful artillery than 
France, or England, or than either one of these powers, 
and all the rest of Europe combined. 

Now this is a navy which we cannot sell or giveaway, and 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 139 

whether we will or not, must remain the first naval power 
in the world. Should we never use a rifle, never move 
a ship from her anchor, we must be an influential people, 
to be consulted by the other nations of the earth. Were 
we ever so peacefully disposed, they cannot fail to re- 
member, when they want to divide the peoples and na- 
tionalities of the world among themselves, that there are 
a million of armed men and eight hundred ships of war 
across the Atlantic, within twelve days of Europe ; and 
3000 of our commercial marine, capable of being armed 
and sweej)ing the commerce of Europe from the face of 
the ocean ; and this fact may have its influence on their 
minds when they propose to overrun this continent with 
a swarm of bastard Emperors. 

But it seems all too evident that we are not to be left 
in peace to exert a moral influence. The Lord is mus- 
tering the nations to the last great struggle between free- 
dom and slavery, truth and error, and wish it as we may. 
He does not design that we bury the power He has forced 
on us. We are not being thus trained for idleness. 

We are entering, fellow-citizens, upon a period fore- 
told by pi-ophets of old — looked for and longed for by 
lovers of their country in past generations — which kings 
and prophets waited to see, and have not seen^— a period 
of the overthrow of despotism, and the downfall of Anti- 
Christ; and it is evidently the design of Almighty Grod 
that the United States of America should be found pre- 
pared for taking their part, whatever it may be, in that 
great struggle. In that struggle the army and navy of 
the United States will doubtless find some appropriate 



14:0 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 

work to perform, not with the design of subjugation or 
tei-ritorial extension, but in brotherly defence of i-ight 
and truth, beside the European defenders of the rights 
of God and man. The arbitrament of the world's des- 
tiny, the fate of the liberty of mankind, depends on the 
American army and navy. 

For such a work as this — a high, a holy, a self-denying 
work — what sort of instrumentality shall God employ ? 
Shall it be an army profane, dissolute, insubordinate ? 
an army disposed to lend itself to be the tool of despots 
and despotism? or shall it be an army composed of God- 
fearing men, men of self-denial, men of lofty patriotism, 
men like the Havelocks, and Cromwells, and the Davids 
of old, who placed the good of the country and the glory 
of God above their chiefest joy, and marched forth to the 
field of battle as men go forward to the communion table, 
singing the Psalms which God has indited for such oc- 
casions, and believing that the blessing of Heaven was 
hovering over their banners? 

If such is to be the character of the men who are to 
take part in this great contest, then it is indispensably 
necessai-y that some such agency as this Christian Com- 
mission should carry to them in the ranks, and press 
home upon the acceptance of every soldier and sailor of 
this mighty army and navy, the Gospel of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Arise, then, Christians of America, and gird yourselves 
for this great undertaking. Let every church send its 
delegate, every village its supplies, every city its contri- 
butions. The church has yet done nothing to show an 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 141 

earnestness in her work equal to that of the nation. Let 
every Christian contribute the amount of his taxes, and 
let each of our thousand regiments and eight hundred 
vessels have its delegate; and then let every prayer 
meeting in the land wrestle with God for a revival, and 
we shall see such an outpouring of the Spirit as will eon- 
vert the army, revive the church, and regenerate the na- 
tion. Di\ PatterHoih 



142 CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 



COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS 
May be sent to any of the following places, as may be most 

convenient. 
PHILADELPHIA.— Letters to Kev. W. E. Boardman, 

Rev. Lemuel Moss, or Rev. Bernice D. Ames, 11 Bank 

street J money to Joseph Patterson, at the Western 

Bank; stores to George H. Stuart, 11 Bank street. 
ALBANY, N. Y.— Supplies to Thomas W. Olcott; letters 

to Levi Dedriek; money to William M'Elroy. 
BALTIMORE.— Letters to Rev. J. M'Jilton, D. D.; mo- 
ney to Rev. G. P. Hays; stores to G. S. Griffith, 89 & 

91 West Baltimore street. 
BANGOR, ME.— Letters, money and supplies, to T. G. 

Stickuey. 
BOSTON.— Letters to C. Demond, 91 Washington street; 

money to Joseph Story, 112 Tremont street; stores to 

L. P. Rowland, Jr., Tremont Temple. 
BROOKLYN, L. I.— Letters to Rev. J. B. Watcrbury, D. 

D.; supplies to W. S. Griffith, and money to Samuel B. 

Caldwell. Rooms, 16 Court st. 
BUFFALO, N. Y.— Letters to Rev. S. Hunt; money to 

F. Gridley; supplies to J. D. Hill, M. D. Commission 

Rooms, at 41 Pearl street. 
CHICAGO.— Letters to B. F.. Jacobs, P. 0. Box, 5801; 

money to John V. Farwell; supplies to Rooms Y. M. C. 

A., Methodist Church Block. 
CINCINNATI.— Letters to Rev. J. F. Marlay; money 

and supplies, to A. E. Chamberlain, 51 Vine street. 
CLEVELAND, 0.— Letters to L. F. Mellen; money to S. 

H. Mather; supplies to Stillman Witt. 



CHRIST IN THE ARMY. 143 

DETROIT. MICH.— Letters and money, to C. F. Clarke; 
stores to E. C. Walker. 

FREDERICK, MD.— Letters, money and supplies, to 
Gideon Bantz. 

HAGERSTOWN, MD.— Letters, money and supplies, to 
Rev. J. Evans. 

HARTFORD: Connecticut Branch.— Letters to Rev. 
H. Powers; money to A. G. Hammond, Exchange 
Bank; supplies to Rooms of Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Soci- 
ety, 87 Asylum street. 

HARRISBURG, PA. — Letters, money and supplies to 
Rev. T. H. Robinson. 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— Letters to C. N. Todd; money 
to James M. Ray; supplies to G. W. Clippinger. 

LAMBERTSVILLE, N. J.— Supplies and money, to J. 
A. Anderson; letters to C. Pierson. 

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Letters, money and supplies, to J. 
Edward Hardy, care of J. G. Dodge <fe Co., 325 Main 
street. 

MILWAUKEE, WIS.— Letters to D. W. Perkins; money 
to John A. Dutcher; stores to Walter S. Carter, care of 
Dutcher, Ball & Goodrich, 103 E. Water street. 

NEW YORK.— Letters and supplies, to Dr. N. Bishop : 
Rooms U. S. C. C, 30 Bible House; money to James 
M. Brown, 59 Wall street. 

PEORIA, ILL.— Money to Theo. Higbee; letters and 
supplies, to William Reynolds. Rooms 10 South Adams 
street, (up gtairs.) 

PITTSBURGH, PA.— Letters to Robert C. Totten : mo- 
ney to William Frew, James M'Cully & Co., 172 Wood 



144 CHRIST IN THE AUMY. 



street 5 stores to William P. Wcymaii, 79 Smithficld 

street. 
PORTLAND, ME.— Letters and supplies, to Thomas R. 

Hayes; mone^' to C. Sturdivant. 
PORTLAND, OREGON.— W. S. Ladd, Treasurer; of firm 

of Ladd & Tilton. Letters to Rev. G. Q. Atkinson. 
PROVIDENCE, R.L— Money to W. Vernon.; letters and 

supplies, to W. J. King. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. — Letters, money and supplies, to 

Oliver D. Grosvenor. 
SACRAMENTO, CAL.— Letters to Rev. J. S. M'Donald; 

money to Dr. R. R. M'Donald; supplies to Rev. N. R. 

Peck. 
ST. LOUIS.— Letters to J. H. Parsons; money to Edwin 

Ticknor; supplies to Isaac S. Smyth, Christian Com- 
mission Office, under Lindell Hotel. 
ST. PAUL'S, MINN.— Letters to H. M, Knox; money to 

D. D. Merrill; supplies to D, W. Ingersoll. 
SAN FRANCISCO.— Letters to Rev. E. Thomas, 711 

Mission street; money to P. Sather, (Sather & Co.;) 

supplies to J. B. Roberts, 214 California street. 

TROY, N. Y. — Letters and money, to F. P. Allen; sup- 
plies to J. H. Willard. 

UTICA, N. Y.— Central New York Branch— Monoy to 
R. S. Williams (Cashier Oneida Bank,) Treasurer, 157 
Genesee Street; letters and supplies to Rev. D. W. Bris- 
tol, D.D., Secretary and AgcMt82 Genesee Street. 

VIRGINIA, NE v.— Letters andlBaSbney, to Rov. Frank- 
lin Rising. ^i 

WASHINGTON, D. C— Letters, ^ey and supplies, to 
William Ballantyne, 41)8 Seventh street, or Rev. J. J. 
Abbott, 500 H street. 

WHEELING, W. V.— Letters, money »i^ supplies to R. 
Craugle. 



'll^Sl 



v^^^-^o^ .. o^, >:^^,^ ..^-^ 




. N C^ <>, ""^ v.N\ -^- ^ ' " « , ^O. .d 



v^ .-^^.S^^-, -^^^ ^x 







■^^. 



.'■.^i><^ 









> „ -> -^ ^ '^ 




6.' 













0> . O N C 



o 0^ 



^■\ ^. 



\' ^ ' 






; ^. . :-• -. 















.^"lJ"%fe^. \ 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 040 856 6 



ill 



